Garages blamed by Southampton hauliers
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• Two companies were called before the South Eastern deputy LA, Mr G. Mercer, in Southampton last week under Section 69, following visits from vehicle examiners and the issue of prohibitions.
Mr E. J. Hamilton, of Stafford Road, Shirley, had his licence curtailed from five lorries and a trailer to one lorry and trailer for a 14-day period starting on February 1.
The LA heard that vehicle examiners had found faults on the company vehicles including a faulty steering box, a defective wheel bearing, loose body securing bolt, and a leak from the engine.
Mr Hamilton, who runs the company, said most of his business dealt with containers. His vehicles had all recently been renewed and no further faults should occur.
Mr Hamilton said that when the DoE examiner inspected his vehicles they were being serviced by local garages and many of the faults should have been spotted. He had changed garages on a number of occasions because he was not satisfied with the service.
A second company, Star Transporters (Southampton) Ltd., of West Quay Road, was told the result of its Section 69 inquiry would be announced at a later date.
Vehicle examiners inspected a number of the company's car transporters and found some mechanical defects.
The company said it had an operator's licence authorizing the use of 15 vehicles and 10 trailers. They were inspected and maintained regularly by a local garage.
Managing director Mr Dennis White admitted that DoE vehicle examiners spotted a brake fault, a fault in the system which raises and lowers the top deck fot loading and unloading, a fractured chassis member and faulty fighting.
He said the faults should • have been spotted by the garage which serviced and maintained his vehicles once a month.