More Lorries But Fewer Hackneys
Page 36
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A LTHOUGH the .number of licensed i—lgoods vehicles rose last year, that of hackney vehicles declined. At August 31, 1955, there were 1,056,800 goods vehicles and 104,200 hackneys: the figures for August 31, 1956, were 1,118,009 and 100,000 respectively. The total of hackneys seating over eight passengers dropped from 78,300 to 78,200.
There were 21,200 battery-electric goods vehicles at August 31, 1956, 41,000 farmers' vehicles, 3,600 showmen's, 2,800 local authorities' and 1,049,440 " otheiri;" The last-mentioned figure compared with 988,900 a year earlier.
Numbers of general haulage and showmen's tractors remained at 4,500 and 300 respectively.
These figures are contained in "Mechanically propelled Road Vehicles, Great Britain, Return 175," published at 3s. by the Stationery Office. It is proposed to cease issuing these returns after the next one, which will cover the last quarter of 1956. Monthly tables will, however, be obtainable from the Sta,tistics Division, Ministry of Transport, Berkeley Square House, London, W.I, at a small annual charge.
NEW SERVICE TO NORTH WALES SOUGHT
'THE North Western Traffic Commis1 sioners reserved decision at Manchester on Tuesday on an applica tion by the North Western Road Car Co., Ltd., for a new express service on Saturdays in the summer from Matlock
• to the North Wales coast, with pickingup potnts at Bakewell, Buxton, Macclesfield, Knutsford and Northwich.
Mr. John Green said the application was made because of the large number of inquiries and bookings from the area for North Wales. Passengers had at present to travel via Manchester. The case was part-heard last June, when supporting evidence was given.
British Railways had no direct service from any of. the towns named to the North Wales coast, except during
MaCtlesfield's holiday fortnight. At that time passengers preferred the coaches and there was no reason why they should not have a choice for the rest of the summer.
For the railways, which objected, Mr, I. Granville Dixon submitted that North Western had produced a limited number of witnesses, many of whom were rail. travellers. There were no lists of inquirers, although the company had had since last. June to produce them.
They were asking for unlimited duplication for a cross-country service to North Wales without any proof of need. The overall travelling time of the proposed service was greatly in excess of that by rail, despite changes.
Mr. F. Williamson, chairman, said they would consult the East Midland Commissioners.