New manager brought in
Page 19
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• A restricted licence holder has retained its
licence after giving ari undertaking to employ a transport manager with a CPC.
Keighley-based Northern Drums appeared before North Eastern Traffic Commissioner Tom Macartney at a disciplinary hearing. The TC was also considering the company's application to increase its licence from two vehicles to four and from fve trailers to eight.
Traffic examiner Nigel Pollard said in its present state the operating centre was unsuitable. Access was difficult and there was little space for parking. Producing video evidence and photographs, business consultant and interim works manager David Ward said vehicles were able to turn round using the previous car parking area. He pointed out that there had been no accidents in the 12 years the company had operated an artic. One of the addtional vehicles would be used as a spare.
Vehicle examiner David Howram reported that the company had received three imme
diate and three delayed prohibitions in the past five years.
In September an immediate prohibition was issued for braking and steering defects, even though the company's maintenance contractor had made an inspection just three days before.
The declared interval was six weeks, but there were gaps of up to 12 weeks, Howram added. The driver defect reporting system was not working effectively, and the company had been given a final warning about maintenance at a public inquiry in 1996.
Managing director Pauline O'Hara said she had been unhappy with the way the company was being run, and she had since brought in David Ward, who undertook to improve the maintenance of the company's vehicles.
Issuing the company with a warning, the TC granted two additional vehicles but cut the trailer authorisation to four. He also imposed a condition that vehicles must enter and leave in forward gear.