• Home
• Used vehicles
• Product news
• Dealer news
• Compliance
• Buying advice
• Archive

WHEELS of INDUSTRY

"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.

The NOW Coach-hiring Regulations.

The text of the new regulations regarding the hiring of public-service vehicles, to which an advance reference was made on page 628 of our issue dated June 23rd, is now to hand and will shortly be available in pamphlet form. The title is "The Public Service Vehicles (Licences and Certifieates) (No. 2) Provisional Regulations, 1931," and the previous 1931 regulations are revoked thereby. Section 23 of Part III provides that if a vehicle be hired the " owner " for the time being shall be deemed to be the licence holder provided that he already holds a licence or a Commissioner's permit to hire vehicles to use under a road service licence held by him. •

When a vehicle is so hired the user shall display on the windscreen or near side in letters 1 in. high the name of the holder of the road service licence under which it is being used, preceded by the words "On hire to."

More One-way Streets in London.

The London Traffic (Prescribed Routes No. 2) Provisional Regulations, 1931, came into force on June 29th. They revoke the London Traffic (Prescribed Routes) Amendment Provisional Regulations, 1929. A copy of the new issue can be obtained, price 2d., from H.M. Stationery Oitce.

The principal provisions are that the following become one-way streets :— Aldwych, west to east ; Strand (between St. Clement Dane's Church and Wellington Street), east to west ; Arundel Street, south to north ; Surrey Street, north to south ; Melbourne Place, south to north.

A Six-seater Licence Application.

The Traffic Commissioners for the Southern Scotland Area have recently been considering an application in respect of a proposed service of six-passenger coaches between Glasgow and Leeds, via Harrogate. The time suggested for the journey was seven hours. The railway companies and others offered strong objection. The fares proposed are understood to be 22s. 6d. single and £2 return.

Tyneside Bus Development.

An application from the Tyneside Tramways and Tramroads Co. to run bus services between Newcastle and Wallsend has been granted by the Northern Area Traffic Commissioners. The London and North Eastern Railway Co. strongly opposed the application.

Licences for Public-service-vehicle Drivers and Conductors.

More regulations have been issued in connection with drivers and conductors of public-service vehicles ; they are known as "The Public Service Vehicles (Drivers' and Conductors' Licences) (No. 2) Provisional Regulations, 1931." Copies, price 2d. each, can be obtained from H.M. Stationery Office. Fleet operators should at once see that their staffs are made familiar with these regulations, as they are now in operation. They concern applications for licences to act as drivers or conductors, requirements as to qualifications, notification of change of address, use of badges, etc. The penalty attaching to offences is a fine not exceeding £5. The regulations of similar title, dated March 11th, 1931, are revoked.

Sheffield's Municipal Transport Accounts.

During the year ended March 31st, 1931, the gross profit on the corporation tramways at Sheffield amounted to £1.99,867, and the balance on the year's working was £73,424.

The bus section of the undertaking yielded a gross profit of £25,001, and the balance on the year's working was £23,742. During the year 43 new buses have been put into service, together with two additional ones sent in by railway companies. The rolling stock at March 31st included 177 buses. The traffic receipts amounted to £133,488.

Ministry of Transport and Municipal Association to Confer.

Many anomalies have occurred as the result of the operation of the Road Traffic Act, and at the Southampton Congress of the Municipal Tramways and Transport Association it was agreed to take up with the Minister of Transport the following subjects :— (1) Contract work within municipal areas, and in some cases outside, according to the particular powers which corporations had.

(2) Power to work buses within their own areas, where municipalities had powers to work buses, but had been prevented from doing so owing to some form of competition.

(3) The protection of buses, where tramways had been abandoned.

(4) The delay which they were experiencing all over the country in the Traffic Commissioners giving decisions in connection with applications for road service licences.

(5) Power to work with the Association of Municipal Corporations in order that they might en-operate.

Important G.W.R. Parcels' Service Development.

Parcels of up to 1 cwt. may now be booked through from London or any G.W.R. station to any of a list of 39 towns and villages in outlying districts within 20 miles of Oxford. At each of these places agents have been appointed, and delivery from Oxford or Dideot stations is effected by the City of Oxford Motor Services, Ltd.

The new service, which is intendedmainly to meet the needs of mail-order companies, is stated to be the forerunner of a comprehensive scheme for the conveyance of parcels by express rail-and-road services.

Trolley-bus Extension at Southend?

An expenditure of £7,166 to extend the trolley-bus system at Southend has been recommended by the transport committee of that municipal authority.

Canadian Commercial-vehicle Exports.

So far this year there has been no improvement in the overseas demand for Canadian Vans, lorries, buses and chassis. Indeed, the returns just to hand for the three months ended with March last show a further decline, the shipments from the Dominion during the quarter having amounted to only 2,466 vehicles valued at £199,610 as compared with 4,650 and £369429 respectively in the corresponding period of 1930. The principal markets for Canadian cornmcecial vehicles at the present time are South Africa, India, East and West Africa, Dutch East Indies and China.

Professors of Transport.

A scheme by which chairs in transport may be established in universities and colleges in Britain is being considered by a joint committee representing the Municipal Tramways and Transport Association, the Institute of Transport, the Commercial Motor Users Association, the Omnibus Owners Association, the Motor Hirers and Coach Services Association, and the Tramways. Light Railways and Transport Association. Some 20 universities have been approached on the matter, and it is hoped that there will be an early conference to discuss the subject.

The S.M.M. and T. Review of the Industry.

The 1931 edition of "The Motor Industry of Great Britain" has just been published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Ltd., 83, Pall Mall, London, S.W.1. This deals with roads and taxation (with international comparisons), imports, exports and output of motor products, world registrations, etc., and gives an historical and statistical survey of the motor industry.

Interesting points which are brought to light include the fact that the average life of a motor vehicle in Great Britain is now 71 years, also that in this country the highest taxes in the world are paid on motor vehicles, namely, £27.9 per vehicle per annum, compared with £6.56 in U.S.A.

Equipment and Use Regulations Modified.

The Minister of Transport has issued Public Service Vehicles (Equipment and Use) Provisional Regulations No. 2, 1931. These revoke the Provisional Regulations recently made but introduce the following new features :— The schedule of first-aid equipment is amended. As from August 1st, 1981s the name and address of the person to whom a public-service vehicle licence is granted shall he painted on the near side of the vehicle. The Traffic Commissioners are given discretion to allow single-deck vehicles, with a. seating capacity not exceeding 26, to . he operated without a conductor, if it be considered desirable.

Copies of these regulation s and the amended schedule of first-aid equipment, when printed, may be obtained at any branch of H.M. Stationery Office, the principal address of Which is Adastral House, Kingsway, London, W.C.2. In the meantime, copies of the revised schedule may be obtained on application to the Assistant Secretary, Roads Department, Ministry of Transport, 7, Whitehall Gardens, London, S.W.1.

Liverpool Transport Accounts.

During the year ended March 31st the Liverpool • Corporation tramways accounts showed a surplus of £85,577, but the bus-traffic revenue, etc., 'miss insufficient to meet the outlay by .£26,694. After providing for the redemption of debt, the loss amounts to £69,193. On the combined account the year closed witha surplus of £16,384; this was carried to the reserve, renewal and depreciation account, which now stands at £94.107. There may be a deficit at the "end of the present financial year unless the number of passengers increases.

Oxford Street Traffic Map.

With commendable promptitude the Automobile Association has issued a special map of Oxford Street, London, clearly indicating the restrictions and Prohibitions obtaining within the area in which experimental traffic regulations now operate.

The map may be obtained free on application to the Automobile Association, Fanum House, New Coventry Street, London, W.1, or from any A.A. branch office.

Coach Guide for the Ifoliday Season.

Highways Guide, Ltd., Argyle House, King's Cros.s, London, N.W.1, has just issued its fourth edition of "The Highways Guide" for the year. It covers the period 'June 25th to August 7th, and deals with long-distance-coach timetables as obtaining during the present holiday season. It is priced at 3d., or 4d. post free.

Middlesbrough Transport System.

After negotiations extending over several months Middlesbrough Corporation's tramways committee has declined to accept the final terms offered by the London North-Eastern. Railway Co., through the United Automobile Services, Ltd.. for the taking over and working by that company of the municipal-transport system.

The .final terms were that the company should rim the system and out of the gross capital receipts take its operating costs and items for deprecia

tin and to cover interest on capital sunk in the business. From the balance the corporation would be paid its interest and sinking-fund charges. When the had been met the company would take an amount to cover management charges, which was put down at 2d. per mile. The remaining balance, if any, would be divided in the proportion of ,80 per cent, to the company and 20 per cent, to the corporation.

Ambitious Plans for Double-deck Buses.

The Belfast Omnibus Co., Ltd., proposes in future to make extensive use of double-dedr vehicles. In a letter to Down Comity Council the company pointed out that between 60 and 70 double-deckers would be put into service in that area. Various objections were raised by members of the council, and eventually it was decided that the county surveyor -should confer with the Ministry of Home Affairs. More Buses for Trams?

Rhondda Urban District Council has agreed to a request from the Rhondda Tramways Co., Ltd., that steps should be taken to secure Parliamentary sanction to the abandonment of the tramways system, in favour of buses, on 28 miles of . route in .the two Rhondda valleys. In accordance, a Bill is being promoted. The council leases running rights' to-€h& company.

Vauxhall Motors' Report.

A copy of the accounts of Vauxhall Motors, Ltd.. which, of course, manufactures Chevrolet vehicles as well as "Vauxhall ears, shows that the loss on trading for 1930 was £4.079, as opposed to £209,918 in 1929, and that the net loss for the year was £88,586, as opposed to 1283,791 for the 12 months preceding. The total deficit in the balance sheet for1930 is £448,384.

Road Expenditure.

The Minister of Health states that in the year 1928-9—the latest year for which statistics are available—the net expenditure on highways in England and Wales was defrayed approximately in the proportion of 75 per cent. an the local rates and 25 per cent. on Government grants.

A New Refuse-collection System.

• A demonstration was given recently at Croydon of a new refuse-collection system, known as the Kleenaway, and patented by Mr. R. Craske, of County Commercial Cars, Ltd., Abbey House, London, S.W.1.

The idea consists of placing a stiff paper bag inside the dustbin. When full it is closed and removed, with its contents, thus preventing dust arising and avoiding the need for the carriage of complete bins. The cost of the bags is stated to be about 1d. each.

Sale at Luton Trains Forbidden.

The Minister of Transport has written to Luton Corporation, stating that the Tramways Act, 1870, does not permit the sale to the Eastern National Omnibus Co., Ltd., of the tramways.

An Ultimatum re Road Conditions.

The transport committee of the Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley and Dukinfield Tramways and Electricity Board has advised Dukinfiehl Corporation that it will recommend the advisability of withdrawing the motorbus service Passing over Cheetham Hill unless the state of that highway is improved.

A New Tillotson Depot.

Oswald Tillotson, Ltd., Burnley, the A.E.C. distributor over several northern and north-western counties, has acquired land at Trafford Park, Manchester, where a building has been equipped with plant to deal with heavy motor work which will be done at the new depot instead of at Cheetham.

Guy Sales in the West.

We are advised by Guy Motors, Ltd., that Messrs. Ling Bros., Victoria Garage, Ruabon, have been appointed sole distributors for Guy vehicles for the cour des of Flint, Denbigh, Carnarvon, Anglesey and Merioneth.

Austin Dividends.

At a meeting of the board of directors of the Austin Motor Co., Ltd., resolutions were passed to the effect that a dividend on the 7 per cent, preference shares for the half-year ending July 31st, 1931, be paid (less income tax at the rate of 4s. 6d. in the £1), and

D14 that the dividend on the 6 per cent. B preference shares be calculated so that, after the deduction of income tax, the amount remaining will equal 6 per cent.

Information Wanted on Oil Engines.

Members of the Manchester and Liverpool section of the Institute of Transport, at the recent annual meeting, expressed the desire for more information on the operation of oil-engined vehicles. The secretary reported that he hoped to complete arrangements for a paper dealing with the technicalities of the compression-ignition engine, but members pointed out that, as users of road transport, what would appeal to them more would be a talk on the day-to-day operation and maintenance.

The discussion ended on a suggestion that one evening during the forthcoming season should be set aside for two short papers on oil-engined vehicles (a) by the manufacturer and (b) by the user.

A Good Export Order.

Illustrated on this page is one of a large batch of trailer chassis which Rancomes, Sims and jefferies, Ltd., Orwell Works, Ipswich, has built for the South African Railways and Harbours Board. The company received an order for 16 of these 7-ton chassis, as well as 25 5-tanners. The chassis have been specially designed to withstand strenuous conditions of service.

The frame is of rolled channel steel and special bolster plates are employed in the forecarriage to relieve the perch bolt of all shearing stresses. Powerful internal-expanding' brakes are fitted, these being fully compensated, and grease-sun lubrication throughout is arranged.

Possible Development of a Manchester Vehicle Station.

We understand that there is an opportunity for developing a coach station and car park close to the Town Hall in Manchester. At present it is being used by a large number of coach operators and car users. Interested parties who might think of its development in this direction will be put in touch with the principals if they write to " Fields," care of the Editor.

Facilitating Fish Transport.

Approaches have been made by North Shields firms engaged in the transport of fish to Manchester and Liverpool, for the respective municipal authorities to arrange for the markets to be opened all night for the reception of fish. The Liverpool market tenants are opposed to the idea and the manager has written declining to alter the arrangements.