'Reasonable...' but don't come back, says LA
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J M Grossman (Ropsley Haulage, of Grantham)
• No action was taken against the licence held by J M Grossrnith, trading as Ropsley Haulage, of Grantham, by Eastern LA Brigadier Compton Boyd, after defects found on a vehicle involved in an accident were blamed on the state of the roads over which the vehicle had been operating.
Grossmith holds a licence for four vehicles and two trailers, Vehicle examiner Geoffrey Midup said he was asked to carry out a maintenance investigation after a vehicle involved in an accident was issued with an immediate prohibition for a number of defects. He examined two vehicles and issued two delayed prohibitions.
Grossmith had adequate facilities and was keeping detailed inspection records, which were signed by a self-employed mechanic. The vehicle examiner said he had paid a further visit to the premises that morning; he examined one vehicle and that appeared to be in good condition apart from accident damage to the rear wheels. The records appeared to be realistic working records.
It appeared that inspections had been carried out but perhaps to lower standards than was expected Grossmith tried to keep his vehicles in good condition, but something had obviously gone wrong on this occasion Grossmith said that one of the prohibited vehicles had been inspected by the Peterborough heavy goods vehicles test station without them coming up with any of the defects listed on the prohibition, and there had been no indication in the way that the vehicle handled to show that it was defective.
The vehicle that had been involved in the accident had been doing regular journeys over two very bad roads. The state of the two roads concerned was well known. If the vehicle had been operating over good routes he would not have had these problems. He had not had any previous problems.
Taking no action, the LA said that he found the explanation reasonable, but he had to have the safety of the public in mind He made no direction in the circumstances, but the message was that he did not want to see Grossmith back before him again. "If the cap fits, wear it," said Brigadier Boyd, • An applicant, holder of an 0-licence, or an objector to the grant of a licence who disagrees with an LA's decision may appeal to the Transport Tribunal within one month of the decision being published in Applications and Decisions.