B. .S. Likely to
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Lose Farm Traffic
VIDEN E that British Road Services I—, were 14 danger of basing a considerable valum of traffic in agricultural produce was presented to Mr. S. W. Nelson, Western Licensing Authority, at Bristol last week. when S.C.C. Transport (Devizes), Ltd„ applied for three additional vehicles of 124 tons and one semitrailer of 41 tons on A licence.
A normal user of "general goods, mainly eggs, fruit, fencing, agricultural and horticultural produce and requisites, and animal 'feeding stuffs, normally within 400 miles" was applied for.
A numb r of growers who had previously used B.R.S. supported the application and spike of receiving a letter from B.R.S. whi h stated that rates would be increased. hrhe figures also revealed that S.C.C. Transport were carrying substantially for the British Egg Marketing Board.
Mr. George Attwood, manager of J. Bibby and ons, Ltd., said that the traffic which the were now handing over to S.C.C. Tra sport, which would increase, was previo sly carried by British Railways. The railways were unable to offer sufficient St rage space but the applicants could.
Mr. William Streak, representing Wallace Soh and Wells, Ltd., agricultural merchants, tated that they had purchased a new mill at Devizes to manufacture
animal feeding stuffs, but this had not yet got into operation. They also had an export trade in barley to Belgium. This was new traffic in the district and they wished the applicants to deal with it.
For B.R.S. who objected, Mr. Leslie Jenkins said that he wanted it clearly understood that B.R,S. had conveyed fruit, vegetables and flowers for the local
growers for a considerable time. He agreed that growers had been advised of a rate increase, but stated that B.R.S. had never said that they would not do the work.
Speaking of the egg traffic, Mr. Jenkins said that B.R.S. had conveyed for the Board over the past 9-10 years with out complaint. In January they had. caused delay on a consignment to East Anglia Egg Products, Ltd., as a result of a strike. Since then the traffic had been lost, and whereas earnings from the B.E.M.B. for the first six months of 1959 were £5,027, for the corresponding period this year they were £391. .
Giving decision Mr. Nelson said: "I am satisfied something is required here because the present vehicles are fully occupied. Naturally B.R.S. are concerned over the loss of the egg traffic, but I cannot dictate to the customers who shall move their goods." He granted two vehicles including an " artic," but excluded eggs from the normal user.