Keith-based Douglas Brae Knackery has had its licence curtailed from 30 vehicles to 25 for three months after maintenance problems and an overloading conviction. The company appeared before Scottish traffic commissioner Joan Aitken seeking an increase in authorisation to 35 vehicles. Aitken heard that since January 2006 the firm had been issued eight immediate and one delayed prohibition. One vehicle was found to have a 45.73% gross overload.
It was heard that Douglas Brae Knackery
appeared to have the necessary systems in place. Vehicles were examined every four weeks and drivers carried out daily checks. Workshops were well equipped. The pass rate had improved but there were still failures and rectification at the test station.
Operations manager Christopher Murphy said the firm had a new system of monitoring maintenance with one mechanic checking and fitting parts and a senior mechanic going over it. An incentive scheme awarded the three senior mechanics a £5,000 a year bonus if there were no prohibitions that were their fault. The firm said it had in mind to put mechanics through a VOSA course, and further training had been arranged for drivers. It was about to implement a system looking at annual test failures.
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