TC issues formal warning over lost wheel
Article courtesy of routeONE magazine

A LOST WHEEL led to international removal company GB Liners being called before Western Deputy Traffic Commissioner Jonathan Black at a Bristol disciplinary inquiry. But the company escaped with a warning because the DTC was impressed by what it had done since the incident.

The company holds a licence in the Western Area for 30 vehicles and four trailers.

Vehicle examiner Paul Crowley said the vehicle involved in the wheel loss last December had been given an S-marked prohibition. A maintenance investigation revealed that two types of records were being used. The stated inspection period was eight weeks but there were gaps between inspections of up to 16 weeks; the vehicle involved in the wheel loss had gone for 10 weeks without being inspected.

In reply to Chris Over, for the company, Crowley agreed that everything was satisfactory at the company’s other depots in the Western Area. Over said the company had tightened up its systems and reduced the period between inspections to six weeks. Multi checks were now carried out prior to annual tests.

MD Robert Bartrup said all procedures had been reviewed. Branch managers would adhere to them and continue to emphasise the points to everyone. All the drivers had been written to, detailing their responsibilities and driver defect reports were handed in daily.

He accepted that the vehicle involved in the wheel loss had missed an inspection. He agreed it was no excuse, saying steps had been taken to redeem the situation. He pointed out that the licences held in other traffic areas appeared to be operating without problems.

This article was originally published in Commercial Motor on 12/08/04.