New B.R.S. Depot at Grays
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QTRATEG1CALLY placed to handle 1.--)the potential increase in traffic expected from both the•ContinenlaI 'ferry via Tilbury and-the nearby Puifleet tunnel, the new Grays depot of BritishRoad Services could alSo be expected to benefit from the expansion eof. the adjacent West.Thurrock trading estate.. This was stated by Maj.Gen. G. N. Russell, chairman of B.R.S., at the official opening of the ,depot last Friday.
In addition to promoting traffic between Essex and Kent, the opening of the tunnel could result in goods bound for •the southwest being diverted via the tunnel instead of through London. .. Whilst both road and rail had their separate jobs to do, the customer could benefit from some standardization after regard had been given to relative :costsand market conditions. At the present tithe 25 per cent. of B.I.S. parcels traffic was interchanged on to rail.
The site of the new depot-covers an area of 9 acres, with ample room for expansion. Storage accommodation occupies approximately 20,000 sq. ft., and offices, maintenance facilities, canteen and covered vehicle parking space occupy 22,250 sq.. ft.
The present vehicle strength is 56, of which 21 are ." artics." Approximately. half. the 82 semi-trailers available have been adapted for Continental work.
In contrast to the specialized depots in London, Grays is intended as a generalc18
purpose depot and operates a wide range of services, including night runs to the Midlands, South Wales and Yorkshire. Warehousing is provided both permanently and temporarily.
The fuel island is equipped with two Brodie-Kent Flo Meters and a Reck lubricating-oil dispenser operated by compressed air. Other equipment includes a Layccick Niagara Merlin washing machine -and a Weaver steam cleaner, A Coventry Climax fork-lift truck is used with 48-in, by 40-in, wooden pallets. All semi-trailers have standard fifth-wheel S.A.E. couplings. A prototype Douglas Tugmaster is employed to move semitrailers within the depot. It is capable of raising and hauling both 10-ton and 15-ton semi-trailers, and all operations are controlled by the driver, who is seated in a side position to improve visibility. A Hyster clamp truck is fitted with a hydraulic pump and has a lifting capacity of 4,000 lb. up to 12 ft. It has independent clamp operation.