Albu gives third chance
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• A Stockportbased haulier who has been in the industry for 21 years has appeared before North Western LA Martin Albu for the third time since August. He has been allowed to continue operating until the end of March.
Albu said that David Wren was called to a public inquiry in August because of maintenance problems. He adjourned those proceedings so that Wren's three vehicles could be presented to the Vehicle Inspectorate for further tests. However Wren failed to present his vehicles and went on holiday instead.
The hearing was continued in September when Albu cut the duration of Wren's licence to terminate at the end of March.
A week later a further prohibition was issued for neglect endorsement.
Wren said he was surprised by the prohibition in October as the vehicle had only passed its annual test three weeks before and everything had seemed in order to him.
Albu commented that the vehicle examiner had said that the defects, loose wheelnuts, excessive air leaks and excessive oil leaks, were clearly visible. It subsequently took two attempts to clear the vehicle.
The vehicles are now inspected by a commercial garage every six weeks, said Wren. He had spent almost £5,000 on the vehicles since September. There had been a problem over loose wheelnuts on a vehicle with a swinging axle. Wheelnuts were now checked every night and day.
Taking no action, Albu said that he only had two options— one was to revoke the licence. However, as Wren now appeared to have his vehicles in a reasonable condition and to be maintaining them properly, he would let the licence run to the end of March.