Drivers blamed for letting firm down on licence cut
The licence of a Shropshire waste disposal business has been cut by 15 vehicles following a string of maintenance problems. Telford-based Cartwrights Waste Disposal Services, which held a licence for 25 vehicles and two trailers, had been called before the West Midland Traffic Commissioner Nick Jones.
Vehicle examiner Keith Algrante said he examined 10 vehicles during a maintenance investigation in July following the issue of an 'S' marked prohibition for brakes, tyres and fuel leaks. He issued three immediate prohibitions, one of them 'S' marked, and four delayed prohibitions. Not all drivers were using the defect reporting system and the failure rate at annual test was 65.96%.
Between February 2002 and July 2007 there were nine immediate prohibitions, two of them 'S' marked, and 12 delayed prohibitions. All six vehicles checked at the roadside had been given prohibitions. In addition, six variation and refusal to clear notices had been issued. Algrante agreed that many of the defects he found were the drivers' responsibility.
Managing director and transport manager John Cartwright said the drivers had let the company down and he had given them "a rocket". Drivers now had to hand in defect reports before leaving the yard. Wheelnuts had been fitted with yellow markers since the vehicle examiner's visit and new procedures had been implemented. He was prepared to reduce the period between inspections from six to four weeks and employ an additional mechanic.
