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TC warns firm not to make it third time unlucky with maintenance problems
Page 35
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A HAULIER APPEARING at its second public inquiry on maintenance issues has been warned that it cannot afford a third one.
West Midland TC David Dixon was considering taking action against Rex Stevens Transport of Telford.The firm was applying to increase its authorisation to from 10 vehicles and 20 trailers to 13 vehicles and 20 trailers.This was its second public inquiry in just over six years in which maintenance was the issue, Vehicle examiner Lawrence Spate told the TC the company's initial failure rate at annual test over five years was 64%. The 52-tonne design weight of the company's Renaults and the design of the braking system contributed to the problem. With the parking brake on only one axle, they struggled to meet the criteria. That problem had now been recognised by Vosa and the testing procedures had been altered.
Managing director Rex Stevens said the firm transported clothes and cardboard and had downrated the Renaults from 44 to 26 tonnes.
The TC was told that one immediate and five delayed prohibitions had been imposed on the company's vehicles and trailers over the past five years.
Spate said he considered the company to have made significant efforts to improve over the past two years and Stevens said his vehicles were in a much better condition than they used to be. Things had slipped a bit during a period when his son, who carried out the maintenance, was injured.The immediate prohibition had been imposed at the test station because a suspension shackle pin had sheared.
Taking no action and granting the increase in authorisation, theTC warned that the company could not afford a third public inquiry.