Comparative Tests of Road Materials.
Page 56
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
The Ministry of Transport has intimated to Middlesex County Council that it is considering the question of making comparative tests with materials which, although they may already have been used, in certain circumstances, for road-surfacing work, have not yet been submitted to comparative tests as to the traffic they will carry and their total cost of construction and maintenance throughout their economic life. In order to make such tests the use of a road of some 2 miles to 3 miles long, carrying fast and heavy traffic, and on a reasonably uniform foundation throughout its length, is needed.
It is pointed out that the most suitable road for the purpose in the vicinity of London, is the Colnbrook by-pass, which has the additional advantage of being adjacent to the ex perimental station now being built and equipped for the Ministry of Transport. Application has, accordingly, been made to the county council for permission to allow a length of this road to be used on the understanding that the Road Fund bears the full cost of the experimental work.
The committee has approved the proposalsubject to the county council having some voice in agreeing to the nature or the surfacing to be laid; to the full cost of the experimental work being borne by the Road Fund, and to suitable arrangements being arrived at in regard to maintenance, and the conditions at the termination of the experimental period.
Irish Free State Bus Traffic.
The monthly return issued by the Department of Industry and Commerce shows that, during the month of September, 4,398,000 passengers were carried on buses operating in the Irish Free State—almost double the number carried in September of last year. The return indicates that during that period 1,902,000 vehicle-miles were run an increase of approximately 200,000 vehicle-miles upon the figure of September, 1928. ' Gross passenger receipts for the month amounted to £78,220, giving an average passenger receipt per 4 vehicle-mile of 9.87d.
018
During the first nine months of the year 35,899,000 passengers were carried, and 17,148,000 vehicle-miles were travelled, the gross passenger receipts being £621,537. During the month 158 companies or proprietors were operating buses, 17 of them having receipts-of £1,000 and over.
Housing Newcastle's Buses.
The transport committee of Newcastle Corporation, has decided to recommend the city council to provide a new central motorbus gafage to cope with the corporation's rapidly increasing bus fleet, which now numbers about 80 machines.
An Experienced Man Available.
We know of a man who has been acting as a transport specialist on his own account, who is desirous of obtaining a post with an important concern where his capabilities can be put to good use. He has been engaged in heavy transport in the Manchester area since 1915. He served his apprenticeship to the engineering trade and has had unbroken experience since 1914.
He has a splendid connection in the area in which he has been so actively employed and is anxious to associate himself with the engineering or traffic side of the industry. He can supply excellent references of his capabilities. Letters marked "A," c/o the Editor, will be forwarded to the proper quarter.
No Alteration in Manchester Cab Licensing The Manchester and Salford OwnerDrivers' Association has recommended to the Manchester authorities certain alterations in the scheme for the limitation of taxicab licences, but the watch committee is unable to see its way to make any alteration.
Recent Unic Deliveries.
We are informed that Unic vehicles have been supplied recently to the fedlowing :—A two-tonner to Messrs. Colebrook, of Reading, a 26-seater to Mr. Bead, of Birchington, and goods chassis to Messrs. Warburton, of Bexhill, Ifessrs. Butler and Crispe, and Liberty and Co., Ltd. The vendor was U.M. (1928), ,Ltd., Canberra House, Regent Street, London, W.I.
Licensing Limitations Around Cardiff.
A conference of local authorities in East Glamorgan has decided to act with Cardiff City Council in "averting congestion" on the North Road outlet from Cardiff to Merthyr, Aberdare, Pontypridd, the Rhonddas, etc., by refusing to authorize any new bus services, the routes of which would lie over the North Road into Cardiff. The conference, however, has approved a Cardiff-Merthyr joint municipal service between Cardiff and Merthyr, and one or two other municipal services which must pass over the road in question.
New Breakdown Lorries for the L.C.C.
The London County Council tramways authorities have recently acquired two petrol-driven breakdown tenders of an improved type for use in lifting, pushing or towing disabled motor vehicles and other obstructions. The vehicles, which have been designed specially to deal with heavy six-wheeled and other vehicles, can be employed as tractors and 5-7-ton mobile cranes, as well as tool-carriers. On the front of each frame is a buffer for pushing vehicles, whilst at the back is a spring drawbar for towing purposes. The tenders will be stationed at central points.
Parking Near Olympia: Residents Complain.
Fulham Borough Council has placed before the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis the complaints of several residents in the neighbourhood of Olympia, regarding the use of local roads as parking places when exhibitions are in progress.
Traffic Census Revelations. . An interesting traffic census taken by Isle of Ely County Council shows an average increase equal to 87 per cent, in the number of motor vehicles, ' as compared with the census in 19* whilst horsed vehicles show a decrease equal to 7 per cent. The increases in the numbers of different types of vehicle were as follow :—Motorcycles 70 per cent., motorcars 95 per cent., motorbuses 69 per cent., and motor lorries 101 per cent.