No More Tippers Wanted for Quarry if ork
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TEN. independent haulage contractors I told Mr. S. W. Nelson, Western Licensing Authority, at Bristol last week, that there was no need for any more tippers to 'cope with quarry traffic in the Frome-Glastonbury • area of north Somerset. They were opposing the application of Senator Transport, Great Elm, to acquire four vehicles and one low loader, on the grounds that their customers required additional facilities.
The British Transport Commission also objected to the 'application which first came before the Authority on April 7. It was alleged then that Senator Transport had "canvassed customers, quoting rates substantially •.beIow those which existing operators were charging," but this was denied at that hearing by the applicants,
At the resumed hearing a representative of W. Viney, Ltd,, Bruton, said operating costs had increased in recent years and his company had lost contracts. Mr. Gordon McMurtrie, for the applicants, asked: "Are you still suggesting that Senator Transport are undercutting?" Mr. Bruton replied: "They certainly have made attempts at undercutting." He agreed that he had made many objections, but said that in his opinion there were sufficient tippers operating in the area already. He added that his company's profits. had dropped substantially since 1957-58.•
The next seven objectors agreed that no further tippers should be licensed for the area. One of them said his work for local quarries had gone down by as much as £400 a month. Rates in the Frome area were very poor, he said But in answer to Mr. McMurtrie he and other objectors admitted that they " were doing all right."
A representative of G. Maggs and Sons, questioned about quarry traffic, said: From April to July last year we earned very little, whereas formerly we .earned £8,000 to £10,000 a year. Their gross profits were not decreasing, he said. A representative of Cox's Mid Somerset Transport Co. agreed that his business, in spite of current conditions, "continued to prosper."
Mr. T. D. Corpe, for the objectors, submitted that the Authority, could not be satisfied that there was a need for any additional tippers. Applicants were asking, nevertheless, that their fleet be doubled. .
After calling several witnesses in support, Mr. McMurtrie submitted that there was no evidence of undercutting. The objectors had lost business "of their own choice," he said, but in doing so had not lost money. They had lost because they would not handle certain kinds of work. They did not like the rates offered by the quarry people, but would fight anybody else Who was prepared to do it
Mr. Nelson said that he would give his decision later.