A private company could take control of Aberdeen City Council’s fleet of heavy vehicles amid allegations of safety breaches.
The council has been called before the Traffic Commission later this month after failing to comply with “vehicle safety standards”.
Currently, the authority operates 111 vehicles in its ground maintenance fleet, which includes gritters and rubbish lorries.
The council was referred to the commission, which is responsible for the regulation and licensing of heavy goods vehicles, by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
A spokesman for the commission confirmed yesterday: “The public inquiry will include consideration of the arrangements for safety inspections; vehicle maintenance; annual test history; prohibitions; and the role of the official nominated as transport manager on the licence and the support given to him to undertake his duties.”
The commission has the power to withdraw licences from operators and also keep vehicles and trailers off the road.
Since October, the council’s communities, housing and infrastructure committee has been responsible for the maintenance of goods vehicles.
Committee convener councillor Neil Cooney admits the authority will have to go “cap in hand” to the commission.
Mr Cooney said: “When we took over responsibility for the council fleet we were met with this Traffic Commission report.
“We have now had to react to this and everyone involved has worked hard to improve standards.
“The acid test will be if we have done enough that we can convince the commission we are heading in the right direction.
“We really have to go cap in hand to the commission, and rightly so, because its safety we are talking about.
“If we don’t do enough, and it’s a very real possibility, they could recommend an outside company steps in and takes over the management of the fleet.”
The council chief executive yesterday gave assurances the authority was taking the matter seriously.
Angela Scott said: “I share the Traffic Commissioner’s concerns that the council’s goods vehicle operations have been found wanting.
“The council will be co-operating fully with the commissioner’s inquiry and I will attend in person to discuss the council’s improvement plans designed to address the shortcomings that have been identified.”