What the Associations are 'Doing
Page 53
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MENACE OF ENGLAND'S LEVEL CROSSINGS.
T ILE B.R.F. states that the recent 1 disastrous accident to the Hunstanton-London train at a main-line level crossing at Hilgay, Norfolk, will surely arouse public opinion to the need for more effective action towards the removal of such danger spots. The accident took place at an " occupation " crossing, but it was one which, like so many others, had, by reason of subsequent development, become virtually a public crossing.
It is not sufficiently realized, says the Federation, that, even exclusive of such " Occupation" crossings, of which it is estimated that there are 10,000 or more, there are still over 4,000 public level crossings in Great Britain, of which 200 are in Greater London. Moreover, on our main trunk roads, which are under the direct control of the Minister of Transport, there are 112 level crossings, making one for every 40 miles of such roads, It will take 200 years to eliminate all public level crossings in the country, at the rate ai which they are being removed at present.
Oswestry Sub-area for A.R.O.
A e ell-attended meeting of operators in the Oswestry and Ellesmere districts was. held at Oswestry on June 1, at which the chair was taken by the chairman of the West Midland Area, Mr. S. Meredith. After the meeting had been addressed by the chairman, Mr. G, F. Goodwin, and by Messrs. Loosemore and Patrick, it was unanimously decided to form a sub-area in that outlying part of the area.
Mr. T. C. Price was appointed chairman, Mr. Hammond vice-chairman, and Mr. W. A. Evans, of Knockin., honorary secretary, pro tern. Appointed to the committee were Messrs. Green, Jones, Morris, Paddock, Davies and Richards. Fifteen new members were enrolled at the meeting.
Scots Association Drives Ahead.
Recently the Scottish Carriers' and Haulage Contractors' Association held its annual general meeting in Glasgow, under the chairmanship of Mr. John Strang. it was stated that there had been an increase in membership, and that the growing need for all haulage contractors and carriers to get into an association should result in considerable progress during the ensuing 12 months. The Association still maintained its demand for a national association of A and B licence holders.
The Association had answered the appeal by the Minister of Transport for emergency grouping and had to its credit completed groups of vehicles in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Renfrewshire,
and the northern counties. Those were the largest counties in Scotland, and it entailed a large amount of work on the part of the directors and members. The policy, throughout this campaign, had been to get ahead with the job as quickly as possible, and it was to the credit of the Association that no Propaganda was submitted at these meetings, and no requests made to operators to join up.
The Association is a member of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and through this was able to hear both sides cif the road-rail question.
The directors who were due to retire were Mr. Andrew Duncan, Mr. John Strang, Mr. David Wright, Mr. William Robertson and Mr. Edward Connelly. They were re-elected. The committees and association representatives are as follow: — Lsaisan committee: Mr, John Strang. Standing Joint Committee: Mr. David W7ieht. Mr. .Toho S.trong an.i Mr. 1. R. Grove. Road and Rail Central Con:arena*: Mr. I. R. Grove. Sootfish Area Wages Roar& Messrs. John Strang and I. it, Gno,n. Central Wages Board: MT. 1. 11 Cory,.
Manx Board Alive to Importance of
Roads,
we were interested to hear from the B.R.E. that the Manx Highway Board has " the right idea' about roads and road conditions. The seal of the Board, as a matter of fact, contains the words " Rattidvii mie vomtaish da yn cheer," meaning " Good roads are a benefit to the public," and the Board lives up to that motto.
Evacuation Congestion " No Laughing Matter."
BEFORE Sutton Soroplimist Club, Cill Monday, Mr, F. P. 1-1, Pearse, of the 13.R.F., said: " There is no need for me to tell you about the congestion on the roads at holiday times. People may then be impatient, but in wartime tnure will be a good many other emotions besides impatience, and long traffic blocks on roads leading out of cities threatened by air raids will be very far from a laughing matter.
" Evacuation schemes are now planned to take place by rail, but airmen will tell you that railways are the easiest target in the world, as they are so straight and so easily visible. If railways are destroyed, the trains can seldom go round another way like motor vehicles can. A bomb or two on the railway would consequently mean shifting all the traffic on that line on to the road. This is only one more argument in favour of the provisioe of new and adequate roads which will be a lasting and beneficial investment for all time."
"To quote again from the Alness Report . . ' Nothing should be allowed to stand in the way of a vastly accelerated programme of road construction and improvement.'"
ACTION NEEDED ON ROADS FOR DEFENCE.
Speaking to Rochester Rotary Club last week, Mr. Gaston Vincent, of the B.R.F., said that Lord Chatfield, the new Minister for Defence, had stated that the Ministry of Transport had the need for improving the road exits from London actively in mind. This was encouraging, but action, as well as thought, was needed now. Moreover. the Ministry of Transport must realize that adequate road exits from London depend upon an adequate road system throughout the country, and that on adequate communications between London and other centres, would depend, to a considerable extent, the ability of this country to put up a successful resistance to attack.
Big Road Exhibition for Leicester.
The traffic section of the Leicester and County Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the B.R.F., is holding an exhibition on road safety and the need for road improvement at Leicester, from July 10 to July 15. The exhibition will be officially opened by Lord Howe, chairman of the B.R.F., who will also speak on "Road Conditions and Public Safety." at an inaugural luncheon following the opening ceremony.
A great measure of support has been offered by other national organizations, as well as by civil, social and industrial interests in Leicester and the county. The central feature of the exhibition will be the B.R.F. road model and admission will be free of charge. It is noteworthy that this is only the second exhibition of this kind to be held by a Chamber of Commerce in the United Kingdom.
B. R. F .'s Model at Folkestone.
In co-operation with Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., the B.R.F. road model is to be exhibited at the Folkestone Premises of Martin Walter. Ltd.. during the week commencing Monday, June 12. The exhibition is to be opened by the Deputy Mayor of Folkestone, in the absence of the Mayor, at 11 a.m. on Monday and invitations to attend have been sent to approximately 400 municipal and transport officials, etc., and to other leading personalities in Folkestone and district. A Federation representative will be in attendance throughout the exhibition and literature will he distributed.