Extra trucks granted but with warning from Bell
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DESPITE LAX DEFECT reporting and inspection procedures an operator has won a bid to double its licence authority to four vehicles. I lowever, the successful bid came with a warning that if matters were not put right, revocation and disqualification could follow.
Birkenhead-based Northwestern Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders had been called before the North Western Traffic Commissioner Beverley Bell, who was also considering an application to increase the company's restricted licence from two to four vehicles.The TC said she was concerned that an operator with that company's level of resource was not complying with its responsibilities as a licence holder.
Vehicle examiner Roger Byrom said many of the defects found were driver related. The stated inspection period was six to 10 weeks. However.inspections were being carried out every 12 months. Byrom was told there was a driver defect reporting system in pl ace, but he had not seen any reports.
Director Michael Moran conceded that the defect reporting system had not been totally effective. He said new procedures had been introduced and the inspection period cut to eight weeks. The company intended to acquire some newer vehicles.
For the company. Richard Smyth said it conceded that it had"taken its eye off the ball".The systems now in place were new and effective.
The TC warned that she generally gave operators only one opportunity to get things right.