I want to look into these 33 GV9s in 31 years, says LA
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NO PENALTY was imposed last week on James C. Ashworth Ltd., of Bradford, by Yorkshire LA Mr. H. E. Robson at a Section 178 inquiry in respect of a prohibition issued on May 18, but Mr. Robson said he would hold a further inquiry into the fact that the firm had had 33 immediate and delayed GV9s in 31 years.
For Ashworth, Mr. P. Kenny said it had 40 Aand B-licensed vehicles. In the past year 19 new vehicles had been bought for £67,000, and £51,000 had been spent on spare parts, tyres and mechanics' wages.
Mr. J. A. Ashworth, a director in charge of maintenance, said vehicles were serviced fortnightly. The GV9 vehicle was an AEC three-deck livestock carrier due for replacement at the end of the year.
Because it carried a moving load there was greater than normal stress on springs, he said. In addition to other defects, the examiners had noted that one of the 13 front springs leaves was broken and one of the 20 at the rear.
Mr. Ashworth felt there was no danger. "Every day we are repairing springs."
Asked by Mr. Robson about the GV9 frequency, Mr. Ashworth said: "It is possible to fault any vehicle on the road". Vehicles like some of his working in areas where examiners were concentrated were more liable to receive prohibitions.
Mr. Robson felt that irrespective of the nature of the defects, the GV9 frequency might suggest that the maintenance progranune, though expensive, might not be fully effective.