Wide Load Proposals May Be Modified
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From our Parliamentary Correspondent THE Ministry of Transport are likely to tone down the promised regulations to govern more strictly the movement of wide loads by road.
"As a result of the many representations we have received about these proposed new regulations we are now considering certain modifications of the proposals as circulated, in order to reduce the burden they would impose on industry, while maintaining their effectiveness," said Mr. John Hay, the Parliamentary Secretary, in the Commons last week.
This disclosure came when Mr. Hay was replying to strong demands for wide loads to be taken off the roads. These came principally from Opposition Members, though one Conservative—Commander I. S. Kerans (Hartlepools)—was especially anxious about the week-end movement of heavy and wide loads.
"It is ludicrous to have these large and wide loads on the roads at week-ends, especially on Sundays, going down to the coast, when they arc so close together that one cannot pass them for miles on end," complained the Commander. "It makes drivers impatient and increases the possibility of accidents. Is it not thoroughly unnecessary?"
Mr. Hay rejected a suggestion by Mr. Harry Hynd (Labour, Accrington) that all loads of an exceptional size or weight should be moved by rail wherever possible. "We are much more concerned with the interests of industry as a whole in this matter," observed Mr. Hay. "Many of these loads arc not susceptible to being moved by rail, or even by sea. Many can be moved only by road."