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Local coaches only in Weym outh
Page 38
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when council provides facilities
• The Western Traffic Commissioners last week gave an interim decision to the application by the Borough of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis to vary the special conditions attached to express, including excursions and tours, road service licences to compel p.s.v. to move to a new coach park at Lodmoor, a mile from the town centre ICM August 22).
The Commissioners said there was no solution to the problem which was free from drawbacks and "therefore find ourselves in the unhappy position of having to decide which of the solutions proposed is to be preferred as the lesser of two evils".
The Commissioners said they felt it essential to distinguish between the different categories of traffic affected.
Excursions and tours originating in Weymouth were small compared to the number coming in. The Southern National Omnibus Co. Ltd. had its own premises, it said, and so were not affected. Neither was Bore Regis and District Motor Services. It was felt the operations of Blue Bird Luxury Coaches, of Chickerell, Weymouth, were different. The Commissioners said they accepted the evidence of Mr. F. C. Hoare, the proprietor, that if his terminal point were moved to Lodmoor it would seriously affect his business and thought there was ample precedent for allowing the local operator preferential treatment. They therefore excluded "excursions and tours originating in Weymouth" from the council's proposals.
Other express services originating in and around Weymouth, including workers, Forces and school services have also been excluded, but the Commissioners added that if the council chose to put forward specific proposals concerning any of them they would receive separate consideration at a later date.
With regard to services carrying period return visitors, the Commissioners said there was no evidence to show that passengers would be less well served by being set down at Lodmoor than at present. They saw no reason why coaches carrying these passengers should not use Lodmoor.
The Commissioners' assessment of half-day tours was that the main attraction was the coach ride. If certain additional amenities were provided at Lodmoor there was no reason why they should not find Lodmoor as attractive as Westham, they said. The Commissioners emphasized that proper facilities must be provided before the new park is authorized and made obligatory.
They felt the drawback for the day tourist was Lodmoor's location but thought traffic considerations were of greater importance and said: "Visitors to Weymouth will settle down happily to the new regime".
The council must therefore prepare plans covering the requirements for additional facilities at Lodmoor and submit them to the Commissioners so that they can assess their adequacy before any grant is made. The Commissioners said they were prepared to re-open the hearing should the plans prove contentious between applicant and objectors.