Too Much Pressure on Railways
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AN R.A.F. officer told the West Midland Licensing Authority, last week, that the rush of airmen returning to Fradley camp on a Monday morning after weekend leave was an embarrassment because of the pressure placed upon the staff of the local railway station. Hard feelings had been caused among people living in the vicinity.
A ticket collector was once " swamped" in the rush. The station commander provided two Service policemen to help the railway staff. Men were encouraged to go home at weekends and some 70 per cent, of the total personnel, numbering about 1,100, did so.
The officer was supporting applications by G. H. Austin and Sons, Ltd., Knightley, Woodeaves, Stafford, to provide coach services to London and various provincial towns.
CHANGE OF BASE REFUSED
" THIS applicant must be regarded as a newcomer to the Powburn area," said the Northern Licensing Authority, last week, when Mr. Thomas Paxton, Powburn, near Alnwick, applied for a B licence in continuation of that previously held by Mrs. R. E. Whitehead, Shilbottle. This licence authorized the carriage of general goods within 15 miles of Shilbottle; the applicant wished for a change of bast to Powburn and for an extension of radius up to 25 miles. The Railway and Road Haulage Executives and two private hauliers objected. They submitted that they did not oppose the renewal of the licence as it stood formerly, but contended that additional vehicles in the Powburn area would exceed the demand. The Authority said that he would grant a licence on the same terms as that held by Mrs. Whitehead, but not on those
requested. It was intimated by the applicant that this was unsatisfactory and that the licence would probably not be taken up.
DANES TO BUY FROM FAWLEY XECUTIVES of the Esso Petroleum Co., Ltd., returned from Copenhagen last week, where they concluded an agreement to supply the Danish Esso company with products of the Fawley refinery. The Danish concern will save dollars by buying from Britain, and Britain will gain currency which will enable her to buy Danish food.
"ADEQUATE SERVICES—OR HAND OVER BUSINESS"
AT a conference of Colombo bus operators on Monday, Sir John Kotelawala, Ceylon Minister of Transport, said that unless they provided adequate services on all city routes before a certain date, they would be required to hand over their businesses to other companies which could satisfy public demands.
K a n dy Municipal Council has adopted a resolution requesting the Minister to prohibit the use in Ceylon of second-hand double-deckers bought from Britain.
The Colombo municipality's trolleybus service will be ready for inauguration on March I. - STANDARD BUS BODIES
DETAILS of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill have been submitted for consideration by the Transport Advisory Council of India to a sub-committee of State Government representatives. The Council has already adopted recommendations by its
technn.al committee on the standardization of bus bodywork. It is felt that this development would assist the growth of the Indian bodybuilding industry.
With regard to the method of nationalization, the council considers that operation by State-owned corporations is satisfactory.
Until the report of the Tariff Commission is available, it is stated, the restriction upon the types of commercial vehicle to be used should continue.
15 TONS LEGAL LOAD
A LIGHT-ALLOY body has been 1--t built by Holmes (Preston), Ltd., Addison Road West, Preston, on a Bristol eight-wheeled chassis. The vehicle weighs 7 tons unladen and is designed to carry 15 tons. The floor of the platform is of hardwood, but the remainder of the body is assembled from alloy sections and panels, including the front and rear wings. The complete body with cab weighs 14 cwt.
40,135 MILES: ONE ACCIDENT
ONE accident per 40,135 miles was the record of drivers of the Express Dairy Co., Ltd_, in 1952. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has awarded 343 certificates and medals to the men. During last year, the company's fleet of 414 5-ton, 6-ton and 14ton vehicles included in the safe-driving competition covered 12.7m. miles.