R.H.E. Enters the Short-distance Field the Easy Way
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WAVING given tradesmen and private individuals excellent service as " agents for Sutton and Co., Ltd., and the old railway companies for periods up to 80 years. between 350 and 400 small hauliers all over the country are now seeing the end of their haulage careers. All have received notice of cancellation of contracts. Their vehicles have consequently become redundant and their work passes into the hands of the smalls organization of the Road Haulage Executive.
No compensationcan be offered because their businesses are not being acquired, but terminated. Thus the R.H.E. acquires a firm foothold in the local delivery business.
These agencies were in most instances established in horse-and-cart days and later became amalgamated with the bigger concerns which developed. They maintained their independence, however, and continued to act as private hauliers. The restriction of their work to local delivery naturally precluded any question of original permits. and the limitation of their activities to customers wishing to use either railway or other carriers' facilities leaves them with little possibility of future custom.
Summary Dismissal
A representative of "The Commercial Motor" has investigated the position of some of these hauliers in the Eastern Area, and has found that hard feelings exist as a result of the summary way in which their services have been dismissed.
One of the largest firms to have been thus treated were Messrs. G. Jacob and Son, 118-120, Salisbury Avenue, Southend. Since their formation in 1888, this firm have been engaged solely on collection and delivery work for the old Great Eastern Railway Co. and its successors, the L.N.E.R. and L.M.S. The original contract on which this work was carried out provided for six months' notice of termination on either side, and that the haulier was not to enter into competition with the railways.
In March, 1949, the Railway Executive gave the firm six months' notice, terminating on August 31. The R.E. was asked to take over the stock and stores. etc., of the operating base, but refused to do so, although the 16 drivers were absorbed and continue to carry on collection and delivery for the railway. These men will become employed by the R.H.E. when it. in turn, takes over railway collection and delivery services.
Complete Service At the time when notice of termination was received, Messrs. Jacob operated 14 flat lorries and one trailer on A licences. A staff of 22 was employed, including 16 drivers and.. a full-time fitter: One vehicle was based on Westcliff passenger station, two at Benflcet, two at Leigh-on-Sea, and both goods and passenger-train consignments were handled. All road services needed by the railway offices in the area were provided.
The agency for Sutton and Co.. Ltd., in Southend, had been held since 1921 by a Mr. Davies, who died some years agd and passed it on to his son. Mr. Percy Davies, • 388, Sutton Road,
Southend. On December 1 he received notification that his contract would be terminated on December 31. One vehicle had been employed entirely on work for Sutiohs.
A second vehicle had been used for contract work for local manufacturers and had, until nationalization took place, been engaged in general haulage under an A licence. Thereafter an original permit had enabled it to be used for furniture haulage within 150 miles of Southend and on runs to London. Seasonal declines in the demand for the type of product carried had reduced the amount of furniture handled, and the permit, which is to be revoked on May 1 next, was subsequently restricted.
Like Messrs. Jacob, Mr. Davies is left to carry goods within the greatly restricted segment of a 25-mile radius left to Southend hauliers. Not only do the sea and the Thames estuary restrict the area, but the remaining eastern part of the land is largely agricultural and calls for little hablage. Important destinations, such as-London and Colchester, are beyond the limit.
Hopes Dashed More unsatisfactory still was the case of Mr. A. Harries, of Ipswich, who became the agent for Sutton and Co., Ltd., in 1945. Inquiries some months ago as to the position which his agency would occupy under nationalization evinced the reply that Sutton's hoped that they would continue to work together for "many happy years."
Consequently Mr. Harries acquired a newer vehicle and enlarged his garage. Two months later he received notification of the termination of his contract. Despite strong protests, the agency was put in the hands of the R.H.E. in July. Mr. Harries is now employed at a sugar refinery. He approached the R.H.E. fork post and was granted an interview, but no further communication was received.
B.RS. RECEIPTS /52 M.
I N the 44 weeks ended November 5.
the traffic receipts of British Road Services amounted to £52,212,000. Revenue in the last four weeks was £5.504,000.
During the 44-week period, the British Transport Commission's provincial and Scottish road passenger transport undertakings earned £32,839,000, compared with £30,489,000 in the comparable period of 1949. London Transport's traffic receipts fell &Om £48,115,000 to £47,339,000.