A Licence Refused for Local Work
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BECAUSE the company's maintenance facilities were located in Scotland, J. and A. Smith, of Maddiston, Ltd., Maddiston, near Falkirk, sought an A licence for three local collection and delivery vehicles of 91 tons, which they proposed to base at Wigan. Mr. J. A. Dunkerley, for Smith, told Mr. A. H. Jolliffe, North Western Deputy Licensing Authority, at Liverpool last week, that if a grant was made the vehicles would be taken to Scotland for overhauls and repairs about once a month.
A grant of a B licence would have been sufficient to cover the work of the vehicles, but the operators regarded it as essential that all maintenance be carried out in Scotland, said Mr. Dunkerley. Most of the fleet was based in Scotland, but the proposed new units would be based at Wigan and operate within a radius of 60 miles.
Recent figures showed that there had been a monthly average of 131 journeys down to Wigan and 142 up to Scotland, it was stated. Traffic was increasing and it was essential to have more vehicles for collection and delivery work. Customers complained of delays and Smith had made several unsuccessful attempts to hire. There would be no increase in long-distance work and when one of the Wigan units was in Scotland they would " borrow " a Scottish vehicle to do the collection and delivery work. Mr. A. Smith, a director, said that at present this work was being done by the long-distance vehicles, which were double-shifting. He assured Mr. Iolliffe that if an A licence were granted, the only long-distance journeys would be to and from Scotland for maintenance.
For the British Transport Commission, who objected, Mr. J. F. Wrottesley cbmplained that there was inadequate information regarding past operations. Mr. M. Morgan, for Derbyshire Transport, Ltd., who also objected, criticized Smith's rates and contended that the only reason they wanted an A licence was to prevent empty running to Scotland. Mr. S. Moss, for two private road objectors, could see no reason to grant an A licence as the vehicles could be maintained in Wigan.
Mr. Smith, in reply, said that they were proud of their high standard of maintenance and preferred to provide their own facilities. They had adequate modern facilities in Scotland and he saw no reason why they should spend more money in Wigan.
' Refusing the application, Mr. A. H. Jolliffc said that a new application should be put in for a B licence in respect of two units for collection and delivery work within 30 miles of Wigan. Mr. Smith's views on maintenance were admirable, he added, but they did not justify the grant of an A licence.