"No Objection Policy Fails in Hull District
Page 43
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BY A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
NINE Hull hauliers, all members of the Road Haulage Association. objected at Bridlington, last week when Edwards of Hull, Ltd., another R.H.A. member, applied to the Yorkshire Licensing Authority to add two articulated outfits to their A licence. This reversed the policy of Hull Area of the R.H.A., who had previously not objected to applications by fellow-members for A and B licences.
The objectors—supported by British Road Services—claimed that there was no longer a shortage of vehicles in the Hull district. During the past 12 months much empty mkleage had been run, and many vehicles were standing idle.
For the past three years, Hull district hauliers have known that as members of the R.H.A. their applications would bring an objection only from the British Transport Commission, who were often unable to rebut a prima facie case. The result has been that if an applicant could produce reasonable figures and witnesses, the Licensing Authority has had little choice but to grant additional Vehicles.
R.H.A. Members Object
At the Bridlington hearing, however, the nine R.H.A. members objected in each of three cases, on the grounds that they had similar vehicles available.
For the applicants, Mr. R. E. Patterson said Mr. G. Edwards started in haulage two years ago with five special A-licence vehicles. He developed a specialized small trunk service from the Hull area to Bristol and South Wales, and because of increasing demand he was now extending to Devon and Cornwall.
So great had been the need for this service tlkat five A-licensed vehicles had been added to the fleet since 1955. It was now necessary to run a daily service to Devon and Cornwall.
Although it was simple to hire for bulk loads, niany hauliers would not accept small lots and the amount of work had become an embarrassment. Without relief, the position would be untenable.
Not Asked for Vehicles
Questioned by Mr. P. Kenny, for the private objectors, Mr. Edwards agreed that none of the objectors had been asked to provide vehicles. Mr. T. B. Atkinson, for the British Transport Commission. submitted that out of 82 vehicles available for general haulage in Hull, B.R.S. had 10 off the road because of shortage of traffic.
The applicant's business, an ambitious and expanding project, had been built up by sub-contracting, and in order to bolster an application for additional vehicles, hiring was now said to be unsatisfactory. After doubling their A-licence fleet from 1955-57, Edwards had immediately embarked on a further project requiring another five vehicles, relying on sub-contracting, Mr. Patterson replied that Edwards had taken " Cinderella" traffic that nobody wanted, and had converted it into a plum service on which the objec. tors were now casting envious eyes.
Their last two applications had been granted on figures alone, as sub-contracting figures were far in excess of those for their own vehicles.
Maj. F. S. Eastwood, the Licensing Authority, said he was not impressed by evidence of the inconvenience of hiring. There was no complaint concerning £45,4100 worth of hiring in the past year. which was more than double the earnings of the applicant's own vehicles Having regard to recent appeal decisions, the application would hc refused.
An annlication by a subsidiary company, Edwards of Hull (Yorkshire), Ltd., to• transfer an articulated vehicle from C-hiring to A licence was then put forward by Mr. Patterson. The apolicants sought to use the vehicle for a few hours each day, although 90 per cent. of its time would still be used for the C-hirine concern, R. M. English and Son, Ltd.. Paddington.
Traffic Changed
Mr. Atkinson said there would be no point in normal use if the applicants were allowed completely to ignore it. The customers of this licence had been given up for an entirely different traffic, and Edwards were asking for traffic obtained irregularly to be taken into account. Decision was reserved.
The third application has still to be heard.
[A prominent haulier in Hull believes that a 10-per-cent. cut in vehicles all round would benefit every licence holder in the area. In present circumstances, he says, the return on a haulier's capital investment is less than if it were invested in gilt-edged securities.]
HIRE-PURCHASE DISPUTE CLOSED
I AST week's meeting of the national .1—, council of the Road Haulage Association " accepted " a report on the representations made by the Association to Road Transport Finance, Ltd„ on hire-purchase rates, It is not clear whether the council were satisfied with the reply by the finance company, but no further action is proposed.
As reported exclusively in The Commercial Motor on August 30, R.T.F. considered the Association's complaints at a meeting on August 27. They originated in the Metropolitan Area.