'Have you read the technical press?" asks LA
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MANY REVOCATIONS AND SUSPENSIONS IN SCOTLAND INGlasgow on Monday Mr. A. Birnie, the Scottish Licensing Authority, asked five operators appearing before him under Section 178 of the 1960 Act: "Have you read the technical Press, do you know of the interest I have taken in these matters, do you know of the vehicle maintenance advisory panel ?"
Revocation
The first case concerned Wm. Jackson (Carluke) Ltd., who was not represented. Mr. Jackson appeared on his own behalf. When asked if he agreed that the issue of 12 immediate and two delayed GV9s was a deplorable state of affairs Mr. Jackson said that it was.
This operator had been before the LA in chambers some 12 months ago and had been warned as to his future conduct. The Ministry of Transport vehicle examiners had visited the operator and advised him how to set up and operate a preventive maintenance system. "It appears that you ignored completely the advice you were given," said the LA.
Mr. Jackson operates 17 vehicles, 12 of these on C licence. The LA revoked 11 of the C-licence vehicles and suspended the remaining tippers for two months.
Ashamed to be in court
Mr. Thomas McGill of McGill Bros., Ayr, appeared to defend his position where 15 vehicles from a total of 26 had been issued with GV9s—of this total seven were immediate.
Mr. McGill told the LA that he had been in business since he was 18 years of age and was ashamed to be in court on these matters. In his defence Mr. McGill produced a list of spares purchased for his fleet of vehicles. "I'm trying hard to reach the required standard," he said.
Since the issue of the GV9s, Mr. Oldfield, a senior vehicle examiner with the Ministry of Transport, had visited Mr. McGill's premises and assured the LA that a satisfactory system was now in operation. Vehicles examined a few days before the hearing were found to be satisfactory. Mr. Birnie suspended two vehicles for 2 months.
Applied for Testing Station permit
E. De Marco Ltd., ice-cream manufacturers and distributors, were represented in court by Mr. G. Aitken. Counsel asked Mr. Nicholas De Marco what the situation was regarding maintenance. "We employ two mechanics and four apprentices, and there is no lack of money for spending on keeping the vans in good condition," he replied.
De Marco operate 70 vehicles under C licence on an ice-cream street vending service. Not all of the vehicles operate at any one time because of the difficulty in obtaining street traders permits and in finding suitable drivers. The Ministry of Transport examiner, Mr. A. Cameron, told the LA that the De Marco fleet had been examined after the firm had made application for a permit to operate as a vehicle testing station. Despite the evidence of De Marco that the vehicles which had been examined in the yard were not being used, Mr. Cameron stated that they were stocked and licensed ready for service.
As a result of the examination, eight vehicles were placed under immediate prohibition and nine were delayed. The LA reduced the fleet from 70 to 55 and advised the operator to look closely at the consequence of his action.
Transport Manager dismissed
Mr. J. MacKenzie, representing Dykehead and Shorts Co-operative Society Ltd., questioned the managing secretary, Mr. J. F. Shannon, on the issue of 12 GV9s to his fleet of 22 vehicles. Mr. Shannon told the LA that a system had been initiated as far back as 1957, but had not been operated. The society employed a transport manager who had been dismissed as a result of the issue of the GV9s.
Mr. Shannon assured the LA that the system was now in operation and that they had been in touch with Mr. H. M. Dick, chairman of the Vehicle Maintenance Advisory Panel.
Mr. A. Cameron, a senior vehicle examiner with the Ministry of Transport, stated that the society's house was now in order and he was sure that a lesson had been learned. The LA suspended two vehicles for one month.
MoT vehicle inspector shocked "This is one of the most shocking surveys we have ever made," said Mr. A. Cameron when referring to a survey at Wishaw and Newmains Co-operative Society Ltd. "I have never seen a place which was so filthy," he added when referring to the society's garage.
The vehicles in the Co-operative fleet had been examined in 1965 and again one year later. Of the 32 vehicles examined, 21 were placed under immediate prohibition and four delayed. The system in operation depended on the driver reporting defects. This was described by the LA as unreliable. "Despite previous warnings, nothing was done until this bomb exploded," said Mr. Birnie,, and Mr. Wm. Catton, the society's managing secretary, agreed. The LA suspended six vehicles for six months.
In each case, the LA asked the company representatives if they had read the technical Press and were aware of the panel set up by the Vehicle Maintenance Advisory Committee. He then advised them to contact Mr. J. Welsh, secretary TRTA Scotland, who was in court. Each operator was advised that his fleet would again be examined.
Appeal dismissed
AN appeal by the Corporation of the Borough
of Jarrow against the grant of the Traffic Commissioners for a service route to run via Old Learn Lane, Brancepeth Terrace and York Avenue, was dismissed by the Minister of Transport.