"B.R.S. Anticipated Grant: Working Sky-Highway Through
Page 35
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from Bedford Since March"
WHEN British Road Services applied to Mr. W. P. S. Ormond, Eastern Licensing Authority, last week, to transfer 45 vehicles and 17 semitrailers from Northampton to Bedford, Mr. J. R. C. Samuel-Gibbon, for 52 objectors, asserted that B.R.S. had pre-judged the issue. Not only had B.R.S. started work on a new depot in Bedford, but 12 vehicles and 20 drivers had been operating from there since March. A customer, moreover, had been advised of the move.
For B.R.S., Mr. R. C. Oswald said that the application, although for a new A licence, was in essence a change of base from the East Midland Area. No increase in unladen weight or carrying capacity was sought.
The transfer was wanted because almost 80 per cent, of the Northampton depot's traffic emanated from the Bedford area. Of 55 vehicles licensed, it was proposed to leave 10 at Northampton to deal with local traffic.
The bulk of traffic was from brickyards south of Bedford, and a base there would avoid running dead mileage. The vehicles were fully engaged, and there would be no change in flows of traffic. A large amount of sub-contracting was involved, and B.R.S. would give work to any of the objectors.
It was pointed out by Mr. SamuelGibbon that B.R.S. had only a small depot at Bedford before. the Transport Act, 1953. This was sold in June, 1955, as a unit of 20 vehicles. It was a serious matter for those who had purchased it if B.R.S. were to come back.
Mr. L. L. Radcliffe, a B.R.S. Midland Division licensing representative, said that when the unit was sold B.R.S. were under compulsion to dispose of the greater part of their fleet. They had allocated 13 vehicles to Northampton and 15 to Luton.
121 Based in Area Within a month, they learned that they would be able to retain more vehicles, and eventually 121 were based in the area. A sub-depot had been retained in Bedford ever since. Application for planning permission for a depot there was made in July, 1957.
Mr. Samuel-Gibbon observed that it was proposed to more than double the original vehicle strength. The present depot area at Ampthill Road, approximately 120,000 sq. ft., had accommodation for 100 vehicles, and there was provision for an additional 50,000 sq. ft. The original Dean Street depot area was 10,031 sq. ft.
Mr. Radcliffe explained that the depot had to be prepared if it were to be used immediately after a grant.
Hauliers dealt with 20 per cent. of 500m. bricks produced annually by the Marston Valley Brick Co., Ltd., said Mr. P. J. Anthers, transport manager. B.R.S. were responsible for half the amount given out. No additional work would be given if the application were granted, but they hoped for better service.
The Bedford sub-depot and the brickyards were staffed by traffic clerks, and control was difficult from Northampton, said Mr. J. A. Shelton, B.R.S. branch manager. Normally 60 per cent. of the traffic of the Northampton depot vehicles was bricks; they also formed 80-90 per cent, of sub-contracted loads.
There was no reason why the subcontracting could not be given to Bedford hauliers, said Mr. Shelton. Future extensions at Bedford would not necessarily be for an increased fleet, but no undertaking could be given.
The lack of an undertaking by B.R.S. was the reason for alarm by the objectors, stated Mr. Samuel-Gibbon. Nine of the vehicles involved were originally moved from the West Midlands, after being delicensed, to cope with pressure at Northampton. They were now to be moved to the Eastern Area.
Referring to the normal user sought, he suggested that the addition of scrap, machinery and sleepers indicated a substantial change from that of the Northampton licence. This should be dealt with as a contravention under Section 13 of the Act.
Rejecting this proposal, Mr. Ormond said that the last published normal user was "general goods, Great Britain." He was concerned only with the 'present application, which would be dealt with as published. He had no comments to make to the East Midlands Licensing Authority: that was up to the objectors. The case will be resumed on December 14.
STANDING DISPUTE TO GO TO MINISTER
THE disagreement over the number of standing passengers to be allowed on buses operated by municipal undertakings is to he referred to the Minister of Transport. This was agreed at a two-day meeting in London last week between the employers and representatives of the Transport and General Workers' Union and the National Union of General and Municipal Workers.
The unions claimed that bus conductors should be given the right to interpret the regulations covering standing passengers. The employers said that they should decide, as they held the licences for the vehicles. The outcome of the dispute will set the pattern for the companies.
MR. KENNEDY RETIRING
THE chairman of the management board of the Tilling Group, Mr. Stanley Kennedy, is to retire on March 31, 1960, the British Transport Commission announced on Monday. His successor will be Mr. Maurice Holmes, an executive director of the board.