Rail-to-road Transfers Attacked Application Cannot
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THE tendency by traders who, by last' minute demands, forced manufacturers to use road transport for goods which were suitable for rail carriage, was attacked by Mr. J. A. T. Hanlon, Northern Licensing Authority, at Stockton on Monday. He described the licensing of additional vehicles in such circumstances as "monstrous," but unavoidable because of the present state of the law.
The line would have to be drawn somewhere to prevent ridiculous competition with vehicles racing each other across the country to achieve earlier delivery because traders could not he bothered to think ahead, he added.
Mr. Hanlon had been told by Mr. A. Moore, works manager of Harrison Bros. (England), Ltd., Atlas Foundry, Middlesbrough, who supported an application for an A-licence variation by J. Williamson (Haulage Contractor), Ltd., Bishopton Road, Stockton, that customers often ordered goods at 5 p.m. and expected delivery by 7 a.m. the next day. They had to try to meet these requirements because of fierce competition from the Midlands and Hull. The railways were suitable when reasonable notice was given.
For the applicant, Mr. T. H. Campbell Wardlaw said that they sought to transfer a 73--ton rigid from B to A licence to give their fleet greater flexibility. The concern also wanted to add an articulated unit of 4+ tons, to deal with increased business particularly in the trunking, storing and distributing of foodstuffs for H. J. Heinz Co., Ltd., Bovril, Ltd., and other customers.
Referring to a letter of support from Dorman Long (Steel), Ltd., Mr. J. Williamson, managing director, said that they offered to take the Licensing Authority, and the objectors on a tour of the• works to demonstrate the everincreasing output of steel, Mr. J. Robinson, traffic assistant to the distribution manager, Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd., Billinghatn, said they had used the B-licensed vehicles to carry chemicals for six months. They also supported the application for an additional articulated• vehicle. Williamson's trunk vehicles were able to load early in the morning for London and the northwest after bringing in foodstuffs.
For British Road Services, who objected, Mr!. Robey claimed that their traffic for I.C.I. to Lancashire had dropped by 50 per cent. in the past year. Existing facilities were not being used to capacity, he added. Williamson, with regular trunk loads into Stockton from London and the north-west, were able to carry ICE. traffic as return loads.
After further customer evidence and an adjournment to rectify an error in the figures presented, Mr. Robey said that the B.T.C. would withdraw objection if a separate normal user specifying "goods in connection with the applicant's warehousing and distribution services within 30 miles of Stockton" was accepted for
the articulated unit. Their prime concern was the LC.I, traffic.
The application was granted with this amendment.
OXFORD ROAD INQUIRY
THE Oxford City Council has been
notified by Mr. Henry Brooke, Minister of Housing and Local Government, that he has agreed to hold an inquiry into the council's alternative relief road schemes for the city.