Essex Operators Resent Tipper 'Invasion'
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AN invasion' of Hampshire tipper operators, all sub-contractors to Mid Southern Tipping Group Ltd., applying for short-term B licences to work from Rainham. Essex, provoked objections from three local hauliers at the Metropolitan court last week.
The applications were by Clements Bros. (Portsmouth) Ltd.; G. Haskins and Sons. Emsworth: Hayling Coal and Transport Co. Ltd., Hayling Island; H. T. Hughes and Sons Ltd., Stamshaw; W. G. Privett and Sons Ltd.. Cosham; and Waterlooville Plant Hire. Denmead, and were granted. Supporting the applications. Mr. J. B. Kirton, south-east regional traffic manager of Hoveringham Gravels Ltd., said that his firm's Rainham Quarry was supplying aggregates for the East Kent by-pass contract. They were having to use their own vehicles because of a shortage of 12-yard tippers in the area. Hired haulage in July cost more than £10.000. yet for the past six weeks there had been a " short fall 'S of 400 tons per day in their movements to a cementation plant which consumed 150 tons of aggregate per hour.
Continuing, Mr. Kirton said that many sub-contractors failed to turn in on occasions, or they passed the work to unlicensed operators. "I will not tolerate this, and send the ' pirates ' away."
Mr. G. Brain, director of Geo. Batten Ltd.. Rainham, objecting, said his firm had 35 12-yard tippers yet they had not been asked to help. From quarry to site was about 22 miles and to do four or five trips each day, some 216 miles. as was desired by Hoveringham, meant that.the driver had to "belt around". Mr. Kirton said his drivers did four or five loads daily; he knew of an operator who made it pay doing four and three loads on alternate days.
Questioned by the objectors and by the deputy Licensing Authority. Mr. C. J. Macdonald. as to the rates paid. Mr. Kirton said Hoveringham rates were applicable nationally but the Mid Southern Group was paid 3d. per ton above the standard rate, bringing this up to 7s. 9d. per ton. A further 6d. per ton was paid because the trip involved using
the Dartford tunnel. Mr. Kirton added that "233 hauliers working for us between Windsor and Colchester are satisfied with our rates ".
Mr. Macdonald said he felt it should be common form for objectors to be able to demonstrate that they could do the work that was involved. Hoveringham had demonstrated need, but the objectors' availability was not convincing.
" If objectors raise the question of rates ". he continued, "they must be able to demonstrate the rates paid are unreasonable. There is not a shred of evidence that the rates paid by Hoveringham are unreasonable." He could understand the objectors in the Rainham area resenting the invasion of " these good people from Hampshire He thought a prima Jack case had been made out and not upset by the objectors but, granting the licences for three months, he concluded: "If they come back again Hoveringham must demonstrate to me that they cannot get local transport."