BUS giant Stagecoach was blasted today for allowing East Lancashire passengers to ride on unsafe vehicles.

Ribble Motor Services, part of the Stagecoach empire, has had its operating licence reduced from 420 to 400 buses after the dangerous defects were discovered.

The faults were revealed as Ribble appeared before North West traffic commissioners at a disciplinary hearing yesterday.

The inquiry was told that Government inspectors found the defects during a series of checks at Ribble's Clitheroe, Preston and Chorley depots. The inspections had been prompted by a letter of complaint.

Fourteen buses were immediately removed from the road and 30 were issued with prohibition notices following the checks. Faults included broken springs, fractured seat frames, an insecure exhaust, an air leak in the braking system and rear seats contaminated with exhaust fumes. Ministry inspector Paul Wilson said: "I am surprised that the company allowed buses back into service knowing faults were there in the first place that could be a danger to passengers and other road users."

He said the main problem at the Clitheroe depot was in getting buses in for repair at the Burnley station.

Deputy traffic commissioner Brian Horner said: "I am very concerned that a company of the reputation of Ribble should be before me in these circumstances.

"Clearly the firm has been struggling with vehicle maintenance. There has been considerable neglect over the period and a woeful lack of attention to detail.

"Quite clearly there have been times when buses have been operated in an unsafe condition."

Ribble managing director Michael Chambers said action would have been taken sooner if the information he had been given by engineering staff had not been "sanitised." Michael Waller, for Ribble, conceded that 17 per cent of Ribble's buses checked by Ministry inspectors this year had received prohibition notices.

"As far as Ribble is concerned, that is totally unacceptable," he added.

He said senior management had been unaware of the seriousness of the situation. Both the engineering director and the assistant engineer had been replaced.

Mr Horner ordered that further inspections should take place before the end of 1997.

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