Decision "Verged on Pedantic"
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A DECISION of the West Midland In. Licensing Authority was described to the Transport Tribunal in London on Tuesday as "verging on the pedantic."
Webb Bros. (Tunstall), Ltd., Stoke-onTrent, were appealing against his refusal of an A licence for a 3-tonner. Their first application, made in May, 1959, was opposed by the British Transport Commission, and failed.
In December, the company made another application, including a revised declaration of operation, and this was unopposed.
Mr. J. R. C. Samuel-Gibbon, for Webb, told the Tribunal that the only point at issue concerned the inclusion of Scotland in the normal user. Evidence of joutileys to Scotland had been submitted, and it had been said that these would increase.
In refusing this application, the Authority had been over-conscientious, said Mr. Samuel-Gibbon.
The Tribunal reversed the Authority's refusal, but Sir Hubert Hull, president, said that they had had "considerable doubt."
NO WARNING DEVICE-15 FINE
AT South Hunsley Beacon Sessions, Hull, last week, Barchards Transport, Ltd., Springhead Lane, Hull, were fined £5 for using a lorry not fitted with a warning device to a vacuumor pressureassisted braking system, and 15 for using a lorry with a defective speedometer. They were said to have had 41 previous convictions.
For the company, Mr. R. E. Paterson said that the vehicles did exceptionally heavy work. Wear and tear was abnormal, and they were away for long periods.
A fine of £2 was also imposed on Percy Harrison Robson. Northolme Road, Hessle, one of Barchards' drivers, for using a low fog lamp other than in conditions of fog Or falling snow; 11 for using a lorry with a defective speedometer; and 11 for using a lorry not fitted with a braking warning device.
Barchards and Robson both pleaded guilty.
IMPRESSION OF COMPETITION (INF had the impression that there was
a form of competition between road hauliers and the Government, said Mr. D. 0. Good, a national vice-chairman of the Road Haulage Association, at the annual meeting of the Mid-Cornwall Subarea last week.
"It is an impression one gets from the Government's use Of special taxation in an effort to equalize the cost of road and rail transport, and from its attempts to arrest the process by which road vehicles are replacing railway wagons," he said.
ROAD SHOW FOR PRESTON
AFTER a successful period in Newcastle upon Tyne, the Roads Campaign Council's "New Ways for London" Exhibition will open at the Public Library, Preston, on Monday.