NUR relaxes a little on liner-train policy

27th May 1966, Page 80

27th May 1966

Page 80

Page 80, 27th May 1966 — NUR relaxes a little on liner-train policy

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FROM OUR INDUSTRIAL CORRESPONDENT THE Minister of Transport has succeeded in getting the National, Union of Railwaymen to move slightly away from its hitherto unfailing opposition to the £100m. liner-train project.

The NUR executive, after receiving a report from its negotiating committee, announced that it was now prepared to accept that ."hired cartage" could be used by British Railways Board on long road hauls servicing the train terminals.

While there is a relaxation in the NUR attitude, the union leaders are still opposed to open terminals. They feel that BR should hire hauliers, but only:until such times as. its own freight fleet has been increased.

The idea is that BR should hire both lorries and staff to transport goods to and from terminals where distances of more than 30 miles are involved.

This will allow BR to maintain its own short-distance service's while the union can still dant that only drivers under the control of the •. railways are entering terminals.

The NUR statement said: "The .NUR executive committee has given ....further •

consideration to the latest position' respecting liner traini,, and is happy to learn that

the success of the experimental services between London and Glasgow has led to them being continued en . a permanent , basis.

"The committee notes that the British. Railways Board can secure sufficient addi tional traffic for the Glasgow and Manches ter Freightliner services to run an additional train, and accept that hired cartage should be utilized on long road hauls where necessary until such time as BR's own fleet has been augmented sufficiently to'under take the additional cartage and delivery work involved."

Although this is not a major concession, some union officials feel that it is the first step to full agreement which may come at the union's annual conference next month. But there can be no doubt that there will be strong opposition.

Certainly the feeling is, after Mrs. Castle's talks with the three rail unions and the TUC, in which she gave them some ideas of her thinking on the integration of transport, that the private haulier may be squeezed out.

They would not be nationalized, but would not be in a good position to compete against the combined strength of British Road Services, linked with British Railways, SEE PARLIAMENT: PAGE 80

NUR relaxes a little on liner-train policy

Page 80

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