Last warn raps veg rg 'LA Wier
Page 16
Page 17
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
SLEIGHTHOLME (Potatoes) Ltd was told by the Yorkshire LA last week that, if it failed to keep within the regulations, it could not expect to escape with a warning in the future.
The company, which has eight vehicles and three trailers, had been called before the LA in the light of 15 vehicle prohibitions since 1974, 10 convictions against the company, and 23 against its drivers. The majority were for hours and records offences.
For the company, G. A. Mitchell said many of the convictions had arisen because drivers had failed to carry out instructions. It was difficult to control drivers once they had left the company's base.
Until July, 1976, maintenance had been carried out by a commercial garage. Since then the company had maintained the vehicles itself and had received only two prohibitions. Its record was improving.
Questioned by the LA, Maj-Gen V. H. J. Carpenter. Mr Sleightholme said the company was engaged in general haulage and carrying vegetables. Drivers could 1 . away from the base for a we and faced difficulties wil loads that were subject deterioration.
There was a hard-core three to four good drivers, b the rest tended to come at go, he said. Drivers wf transgressed were given tv warnings and then dismisse In the past year he had di missed seven drivers.
Warning the company, "f the last time" Maj-Gen Ca penter said it would have to be careful in the future, particularly in regard to drivers' hours.
His concern was safety and this involved drivers' hours as well as maintenance. He was glad to hear the company was getting tough with drivers who did not measure up.
As far as the recent prohibitions were concerned, he accepted the defects were of the type that could arise at any time.