Centre granted with conditions
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A Reading based plant hire firm has succeeded in its bid for a new two-vehicle licence after agreeing to a number of environmental conditions. Contractors Plant Hire (Reading) had applied to Western Deputy Traffic Commissioner Alan Bourlet to base vehicles at Tidmarsh Lane, Partgbourne. but was opposed by West Berkshire District Council.
Malcolm Bowler, a senior
technician employed by the council, maintained that the proposed operating centre was unsuitable because of poor access and its position on a narrow country road.
Bowler was not aware that there were three other operating centres in the vicinity, though he knew that the firm's base was already in use by another company.
For the company, Butterfield said that following an objection from Berkshire County Council in 1993 the visibility from the site entrance had been improved to the counci's satisfaction. Bowler maintained that the County Councils standards were not rigorous enough.
Director Shaun Holland said the site had been used by the vehicles already based there without any difficulty. He had no wish for the firm's trucks to leave and approach
other than to and from the west, avoiding the narrowest parts of Tidinarsh Lane.
Adjourning the proceedings for a short time and indicating that he did not propose to refuse the application, the OTC said that in view of Holland's evidence he felt that it was possible for the parties to reach an agreement.
Butterfield said that the company would accept a condition limiting entrances from the west and exits to the west and a restriction on vehicle type and size to
two rigid two-axlecl vehicles, one of up to 18 tonnes and the other up to 7.5 tonnes.