"Roads Inadequate for Heavy Loads"
Page 37
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
TiE transport of large industrial loads in Great Britain has become
• a complex matter, especially for the manufacturers of electrical transformers. Bridge reinforcement since the 1939-45 war has been almost negligible, and the capacity of roads to accept heavy loads is steadily decreasing.
Mr. E. C. Rippon, chief transformer engineer of C. A. Parsons and Co., Ltd., Newcastle, explained these difficulties to the British Electrical Power Convention in Eastbourne, this week. He pointed out that manufacturers had tried to make free use of the railways, hut loads there were restricted to 135 tons, so they had turned to road transport.
However, it was exceptional to survey a route and find that it would carry loads at or near the statutory maximum. Weak bridges were the major obstacle, and it was essential that a programme of reinforcement was carried out.
One of the heaviest loads ever moved by road in this country weighed 225 tons with the vehicle, and it travelled without mishap. A bridge on the route was strengthened, but this was done at a relatively modest cost.
ONLY A CAUTION, BUT DRIVER IS FINED
ADRIVER who left his van outside Stourbridge County Court found on the windscreen a police notice saying that the van was parked in a " No waiting area, but proceedings would not be taken on that occasion.
The driver, Raymond Burrows, Piper. Place, Amblecote, Stourbridge, drew attention to this when he appeared before Stourbridge magistrates, last week, charged with causing obstruction. He was fined £2.
P.c. Mourton said that when two lines of vehicles were passing each other Burrows' vehicle caused an obstruction.
Questioned by Burrows, the constable agreed that a police notice on his windscreen stated that no action would be taken on that occasion, but he explained that the notice must have been put there by another officer. He also agreed that until the police "No Parking" notices were placed there the area was not restricted.
Burrows, who pleaded not guilty, said that when he parked there were no "No Parking" notices up.
FIRE DESTROYS BUSES
FOUR A.E.C. double-deck buses and I an A.E.C. coach were completely destroyed when fire burned out a garage belonging to the Provincial Bus Co., Ltd., Fareham, Hants, on Tuesday. Damage is estimated at £40,000.
When the blaze was discovered volunteers and firemen helped the staff to move more than 60 buses and coaches from a neighbouring garage in Gosport Road. The cause of the outbreak is unknown.