Existing Services Protected
Page 37
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ALTHOUGH an application to the Northern Traffic Commissioners by a newcomer to run a special service to take civil servants to work at Longbenton was strongly supported at PvIorpeth last week, it was turned down because . existing services had to be maintained.
Mr. Joseph Baker, Cullercoats, the applicant, produced a petition signed by 43 people who intended to use his service. None of them was said to use the stage carriages of United Automobile Services, Ltd., or the Tynemouth and District Transport Co., Ltd., but the electric trains. The two companies and the railways opposed the application.
It was stated that trains were often late and "red marks" went against the civil servants when this occurred, to the detriment of their careers. Mr. Baker proposed to charge a return fare of is. 9d, compared with the railway rate of 2s. Id.
Mr. W. R. Maltby, appearing for civil servants working at the Lon gbenton headquarters of the Ministry of Pensions and National insurance, told Mr. J. L. R. Croft, for the objectors, that the Ministry did not officially support the application,
Mr. J. A. T. Hanlon, chairman, said that it was quite understandable that Mr. Baker's proposed service would be more convenient. The district was, however, well served by buses and trains, which could not be expected to meet every possible need. Complaints of lateness were not sufficient to justify a grant.
RAILWAY SERVICE NOT GOOD ENOUGH
A FTER explaining to Mr. S. W.
Nelson, Western Licensing Authority, that the company had been forced to use the railways in 1957 because of the Suez crisis, Mr. Simon Neale, transport manager of Showerings, Ltd., Shepton Mallet, added that their customers insisted on a better service than that offered by the railways.
He also spoke of steadily increasing business when supporting an application by Mr. S. Read, Evercreech, Somerset, to vary his A licence by the addition of a 41.-tonner, to be acquired. A normal user of "mainly goods for Showerings, Ltd.," was sought.
It was stated that Showerings were operating 70 vehicles on C licence, but also used the services of hauliers. Six hauliers who had registered objections withdrew before the hearing, and Mr. Nelson was satisfied that the evidence justified a grant.
LOOSE BALE KILLS WOMAN: /20 FINE N accident in November, when a woman was killed by bales falling from a lorry, resulted in British Road Services being fined £20 at Stalybridge, on Monday, for using an insecurely loaded vehicle. The driver was fined El. It was stated that heavy bales fell from the vehicle and struck a woman on the footpath when a rope broke. She suffered fatal injuries.