Camp Operator Not to Lose Licence
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ALTHOUGH Traffic Commissioners were bound to avoid wasteful competition and co-ordinate transport, they were not required to deprive a man of his licence because other facilities were said to be adequate, Mr. F. Williamson. chairman of the North Western Commissioners, said at Chester on Tuesday.
He granted T. A. Milburn and Sons, Anglesey, a renewal of their licence for an express service between the R.A.F. camp, Valley, and Manchester. Mr. Milburn need not, he said, be apprehensive of losing his licence so long as the service was properly run. There -had been no evidence to substantiate British Railways' allegations of irregularity and there was no change in the numbers of personnel at the camp.
Mr. J. Edward Jones, for British Railways, had submitted that they provided the main services to and from the camp for week-end leave, offering 32 destinations at concessionary fares, with Crosville feeder buses connecting with the trains. Last year 14468 passengers were carried, producing revenue of £16,000.
The service was in every way comparable with road transport. Rail fares of 20s. to Manchester and 16s. 9d. to Liverpool compared with 20s. and 18s. by Milburn's coaches. These were important destinations and the railways were most anxious that the cream of the traffic should not continue to go to Milburn.
Referring to railway allegations that two coaches, instead of the one authorized; were operated on April 18 and June 7. 1957, Mr. E. A. Whitehead. for Milburn, pointed out that no evidence had been called to refute their denial of the accusation. The figures showed an average loading of 38 passengers weekly and justified renewal.
There had been no change in the rail facilities since the licence was granted last year. Milburn's previous irregular operation—weekly instead of fortnightly .through a misunderstanding—was corrected and they had since run exactly according to the licence.