Help for Scottish Operators
Page 36
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THEScottish Licensing Authority, Mr. A. B. Birnie, has endorsed a scheme by the Scottish goods vehicle maintenance advisory committee which is designed to give answers to operators' specific problems. There are 17 members on the committee, representing the RHA, TRTA, and other road transport organizations in Scotland. The chairman is Mr. H. M. Dick, transport manager, SCWS Ltd.
The extent of the LA's support is that he intends to direct Section 178 offenders to the committee for advice and assistance. Those seeking assistance will be able to contact a committee member personally, present his problem, and have it answered by an expert. until now the advisory committee, which was formed in 1963, has devoted its time to arranging public meetings and giving publicity to vehicle maintenance. It is felt that this is a more practical venture.
To ensure that there is unanimity on the wider aspects of the question, an outline to the scheme has been drawn up. Local shortdistance operators are being advised to use a four-weekly maintenance inspection schedule, but long-distance operators are being recommended to use a 2,000-mile schedule. An inspection more than once each month is being recommended for tippers.
The committee is ready to provide to the small operator, who does not and cannot employ maintenance staff, the names of reliable garages prepared to enter into a contract for this type of work. The scheme is ambitious and practical, and although still in its infancy it appears to be gaining support from large and small operators alike.