More Pressure for London Authority
Page 50
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THERE should be a Greater London Council, to take over the administration of certain services in the capital and its suburbs, and one of its functions should be highway planning. A recommendation to this effect has been made to the Royal Commission for Greater London by a group of the London School of Economics, headed by Prof. W. A. Robson.
"The case for an authority to be responsible for the long-term plan for major highways and for its execution is overwhelming," state the group. No trunk roads in London should be under the Ministry of Transport.
Refuse disposal should also be a function of the council. As reported in The Commercial Motor dated January 30, the Ministries of Transport and Housing recommended the centralization of highway administration and the organization of cleansing to the Commission.
GLASGOW TRAMS' LOSS
GL ASGOW trams lost £808,098 in the %--1 year ended last May, although motorbuses, trolleybuses and underground services showed a combined surplus of £270,029. The high loss on trams was attendant on closing down the system. Operating cost per tram-mile increased to nearly 11d, compared with 5.8d. in the previous year,
DAVID BROWN IN SPAIN
THE Spanish Government have approved the formation of David Brown Engranajes, S.A., which will manufacture commercial-vehicle gearboxes of David Brown design.
Co-operation Admitted by B.T.C.
ALTHOUGH it was admitted by Mr. D. Brown, for the British Transport Commission, that John Barrie (Contractors), Ltd., worked in co-operation with his clients, they objected to the company's applications before Mr. W. F. Quin, Scottish Licensing Authority, last week.
The company applied for A licences Jo replace special A's for three vehicles of 18+ tons with a normal user "genera] goods, Great Britain," and one vehicle of 2.i tons with a user "general goods within 25 miles (58 per cent.). 50 miles (15 per cent.) balance as required."
Mr. Brown said that the applications were based on fact, the accuracy of which was a matter for the Authority to decide. The Authority was satisfied with the evidence and made the grant after hearing Mr. Bruce Barrie, general manager, say that the company were not anxious to extend long-distance work.
521 B.H.P. ENGINE IN COMMER ANengine developing 52.5 b.h.p. at 4.600 r.p.m., and a torque output of 75 lb. ft. at 2,000-2,200 r.p.m., is now fitted in the Commer express delivery van. The unit has a Zenith 30 V.1.G, carburetter, and new inlet and exhaust manifold to give better breathing.
An A.C. dry-type air cleaner is incorporated. The gearbox has been changed and is now of the close-ratio type. The steering-column gear change has been altered so that the lever is pulled back to the upper plane of movement for the engagement of first and second ratios.
The price of the vehicle is the same as before, £475 in primer.