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N.R.T.F. Submit 320 Urgent Road Schemes to Parliament

11th December 1953
Page 43
Page 43, 11th December 1953 — N.R.T.F. Submit 320 Urgent Road Schemes to Parliament
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

PiA LIST of over 320 urgent highwayimprovement requirements has been submitted to all Members of Parliament, including the Lords, by the National Road . Transport Federation. It was in their hands on Wednesday, after the Minister of Transport's statement on road policy the previous day (see opposite page).

The constituent associations of the N.R,T.F. were asked to report on road facilities and detailed information was compiled for inclusion in the Parliamentary document. The projected schemes mentioned were stated to be those that needed the earliest attention To improve the flow of traffic and reduce congestion.

Many of the suggested improvements were not expensive; some concerned roads which had improved, but to no effect because "pinch points" had been left. These were undoubtedly the cause of many accidents, stated the N.R.T.F.

"On many main roads throughout the country there exist stretches of road which, although they have 6een improved often by the provision of dual carriageways, revert to the standard of a winding country lane with hump-back bridges. These make driving a difficult and tedious job, which results in tiring the drivers more than would be the case if the roads were in a fair condition," it was declared.

been partially 10,000 Vehicles Through Markyste

High Street, Markyate, was cited as an instance. It was estimated that over 10,000 vehicles passed daily through the village, which had a speed limit of 15 m.p.h. Stamford, on the Great North Road, was similarly quoted, and the report added that some hundreds of gallons of fuel must be consumed in

needless waiting be of the inadequacy of the roads at these point The Federation were anxious to avoid expenditure. on "white elephants," as happened on several occasions before the war when large sums were spent on providing by-passes which had never been greatly used. Cobbled roads and tram tracks did great damage to tyres and the mechanism of laden vehicles. Roads should not he built with utility mains below the surface of the carriageway, but under the footpath or at the side.

The overall cost of the schemes listed was thought to he about f500m., and the Federation pointed out that some 70 per cent, of this amount was contributed by road users in annual taxation. The suggested improvements were listed twice, once according to Ministry of Transport route numbers, and secondly on an area basis. Main defects were indicated.

5s. 6d, MORE FOR DRIVERS AN arbitration tribunal has awarded an increase of 5s. 6d. a week in wages to fuel-tanker drivers in the London area.

HOPE OF HIGHER SPEED HE Traders' Road Transport Association are making a new approach to the question of increasing the speed limit for heavy goods vehicles and have good grounds for hoping for a successful outcome, Col. A. Jerrett, president of the Association, announced on Tuesday. He was speaking at a dinner of Wolverhampton sub-area.

CAMP SERVICE REFUSED

A LTHOUGH he agreed with the 1—t applicants that the 11.30 p.m. train from London to Hockering was overcrowded, the Eastern Licensing Authority, at Cambridge, last week, refused Messrs. F. Thompson and Sons, Dereham, permission to operate a service to carry airmen from Hockering to London at week-ends.

EXTRA COACHES FOR HOLIDAYS?

PERMISSION to operate extra vehicles on their holiday services from the West Riding to London and Birmingham is being sought by West Yorkshire Road Car Co., Ltd., Yorkshire Woollen District Transport Co., Ltd., Yorkshire Traction Co., Ltd., East Yorkshire Motor Services, Ltd., and East Midland Motor Services, Ltd. The applications, which were heard by the Yorkshire Licensing Authority in Leeds, last week, were opposed by the Railway Executive.

All Buses to Have Separate Cabs ?

THE trade unions are pressing the Minister of Transport to introduce regulations making it necessary for fullfronted buses and coaches to have enclosed drivers' cabs. They are concerned, about the effect of saloon lighting reflection on the windscreen, and the distraction of the driver's attention by his accessibility to passengers.

Other matters to which they have drawn attention are windscreen misting, and the increased risk of accidents by sudden braking when standing passengers are carried.

Although these points are not mentioned, in the new draft Public Service Vehicles (Conditions of Fitness) Regulations (summarized in The Commercial Motor on November 13), it is

understood that the Ministry is considering amending them accordingly.

The Passenger Vehicle Operators Association and other operating and manufacturing interests are giving consideration to such modifications, particularly on existing vehicles, and representations will be made to the Minister.

6d. CUT IN FUEL TAX WANTED

PA.A REDUCTION of 6d. a gallon in the fuel tax has been suggested by the Association of British Chambers of Commerce to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The Association have also recommended that the selectivity of purchase tax should be based on an intelligible. basis and that the groups of chargeable goods should be reviewed.

DOUBLE ON CHRISTMAS DAY?

APPLICATION has been made to the Yorkshire Licensing Authority by East Yorkshire Motor Services, Ltd., for permission to charge double fares on 20 services on Christmas Day. Twelve of the services concerned are operated jointly with Hui] Transport Department, which, as reported in The Commercial Motor on November 20, has already had sanction to double its fares on that day.


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