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The Dirty Thirties

17th October 1952
Page 29
Page 29, 17th October 1952 — The Dirty Thirties
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

pROGRESS of any kind is as much dependent upon intelligent anticipation as it is upon the groundwork of scientific and technical research. One of the handicaps under which road transport constantly labours is that the solution to any new problem which arises could often be readily brought into action, were it not for the near-impossibility of the solution receiving early sanction from the necessary authorities. The principal advantage of road transport over other methods of moving goods and passengers, is its flexibility. This advantage; however, is frequently thrown away by official inertia and by the unwillingness of the bureaucrats to decide anything for fear that the decision, once taken, may not prove to be absolute.

Examples of the way in which progress is hampered abound in the history of public trans: port. Possibly the most recent case related to the regulations governing the maximum length and width of single-deck public-service vehicles in Britain. Long after economic, social, industrial and operational conditions had made it possible for longer and wider vehicles to be put into service, research was still being carried on for Government departments to see whether or not it could be done.

Brakes Being Watched Similar cases, unfortunately not yet decided, exist to-day. There is, for example, the current problem of brakes on public-service vehicles. Some two or three years ago, it became clear that the Ministry of Transport, through its certifying officers and vehicle examiners, was giving close attention to the question of the efficiency of braking systems in general and of hand-brake arrangements in particular.

Discussions were opened between the Ministry. the manufacturers. and the operators. All three parties were vitally concerned, for different, but nevertheless valid, reasons, with public safety.

Operators endeavour constantly, as a matter of sound business, to ensure that everything prac tical should be done to see that buses are as safe as humanly possible. Manufacturers, in their turn, are anxious to provide products which meet operators' demands for high efficiency. The Ministry felt that hand brakes should be capable of attaining a braking efficiency figure of 30 per cent.

of gravity. Both manufacturers and operators declared that the figure was too high for normal usage. Whilst it was an attainable standard, it was not one which could be expected day in and day out, from all the 80,000 buses and coaches in service. They felt that 20 per cent., as a minimum figure, was more compatible with every-day conditions. To this the Ministry made no definite reply. Nevertheless, cases continue to be discovered of vehicles turned down because the hand-brake efficiency was not up to the higher figure.

Harmful Indecision This state of affairs cannot be considered healthy. Both parties in this matter have sound reasons for advocating their case. The Ministry, on the other hand, which will eventually have the last word on the subject, refuses to say anything definite. It is unwilling to accept the 20 per cent. figure offered by the operators and manufacturers, and yet will not demand the 30 per cent. figure. This indecision is harmful to both sides.

Another example is the question of the 30-ft. overall length for double-deckers. There is no technical reason why longer double-deckers should not prove as well adapted to current traffic conditions as the ,longer single-decker. Increased passenger capacity at the expense of a very small increase of road space is needed to-day.

The present Minister of Transport has shown himself to be willing to act effectively in the interest of national economy. There are at present a number of matters on which a decision, one way or another, -would be welcomed by the entire industry. The failure of the Ministry of Transport to make up its mind on the question of acceptable brake-efficiency figures, on overall lengths for double-deckers, on speed limits for various classes of goods vehicle, all matters in which the figure 30 appears to be the ground for dissension, will only bring the law into disrepute. It will also throttle vital development in road transport.

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Organisations: Ministry of Transport

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