OBJECTS OF DRIVERS' HOURS REGULATIONS.
Page 32
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
That the drivers' hours regulations were intended to apply to long-distance drivers, and that it was doubtful whether the legislature ever had in mind drivers of local delivery vans, because, with the large number of stops which they made, no question of fatigue was involved, was a submission of Mr. S. A. Copp, when a baker's van. man and his employer were prosecuted at Lynton, on Monday.
The former was charged with having driven a vehicle for a continuous period of more than 5 hours, and with having failed to keep a current record, and the latter with permitting his employee to drive for more than 5i hours. The man told the Bench that his employer allowed him to arrange his own periods of rest, and that he was perfectly satisfied with his conditions of work.
The magistrates held that technical offences had been committed, but, as this was the first case of the kind to be heard in the district, they imposed fines on the driver of 5s. for each offence, whilst the employer was fined 10s., and ordered to pay costs.
Speed Success by Perkins-engined Car.
On Wednesday last a Perkins-engined Thomas racing car succeeded in establishing at Brooklands new records in the 3-litre Diesel class which are now officially recognized for the first time. With supercharging at 10 lb. per sq. in. pressure, the flying kilometre was covered at 94.7 m.p.h. Without supercharging, the following records were made: 50 kiloms., 88.1 m.p.h.; 50 miles, 88.44 m.p.h.; 100 kiloms., 88.38 m.p.h.; 100 miles, 88.13 m.p.h.; and 1 hr., 88.25 mph.
Important New North Wales Road Link.
On Saturday last the Minister of Transport opened the Penyclip road and viaduct, the imposing new highway between Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan, built by Carnarvon County Council, with the aid of grants from the Road Fund, at a cost of £183,000. It provides a much-needed improvement on the coastal route between Conway and Bangor, which, in the summer, is used by much traffic. In addition, it forms an important link in the Chester-Holyhead road. The total effective width throughout of the new highway is 34 ft.
Road Services Replace Railway.
Last Friday the Southern Railway Co. supported an application to the Western Licensing Authority by ChapEns, Ltd., for additional vehicles to carry goods formerly taken by the light railway between Barnstaple and Lyn. ton, which has now been closed.
Mr. F. A. Stockdale, for the railway company, said that it had teen arranged for Chaplins, Ltd., to take or the delivery of goods which used to be carried by the railway and, excluding coal, the traffic handled by the railway during 1934 amounted to 3,287 tons.
1318
On behalf of local operators, Mr. 1. J. W. Templeman suggested that a B licence should be granted and not an A licence. The applicant replied that it was necessary that the vehicles should be transferable, if necessary, to other areas in which the concern
worked. Restriction to a B licence would, it was said, cause inconvenience to both the railway and the public.
On the concern giving an assurance that it would not do work other than that previously carried out by the rail. way, the application—for a 3-ton vehicle and a 4-ton trailer—was granted.
Spectacular Demonstrations at the White City Stadium. Although essentially connected with private cars, the daring exhibitions of driving, which are to be staged at the White City Stadium, Shepherd's Bush, London, W., by Chrysler Motors, Ltd., will undoubtedly be of interest to many of our readers. The performances will occupy about an hour, and admission to the Stadium will be free from 3 p.m. to the conclusion On October 18, 21, 22 and 23.
Bathgate as Milk-haulage Centre?
Bathgate area milk producers are petitioning the Milk Marketing Board to make Bathgate a haulage centre for milk. It is stated that if the Board agrees, producers will save 50 per cent. in haulage rates.
Shipping Guide for Hauliers..
The following is the number of ships arriving at the London docks, wharves and jetties named, from October 11-19 inclusive :—Docics: King George V, 9; Royal Albert, 6; Royal Victoria, 3; Surrey Commercial, 6; West India, 3 ; East India, 1; South-West India, 4; Tilbury, 7; Tilbury Stage, 4; Millwall, 4; London, 1. WHARVES: Hay's, 5; Middleton's, 1; Mark Brown's, 1; Regent's Canal, 1. Tilbury Jetty, 3. RAILWAYS ATTEMPT TO CUT DOWN RADIUS.
Last Friday, before Sir William Hart, Yorkshire Deputy Licensing Authority, the railways attempted to obtain a ruling that B-licence holders should be limited to a seven-mile radius for the carrying of coal. Road-transport operators emphatically opposed the suggestion, and it was ultimately agreed that all cases should be dealt with on their merits.
An extraordinary position arose later in the day when -a member of Associated Road Operators applied for the renewal of his B licence without modification; he had hitherto been permitted to carry coal within a 10-mile radius. The railway opposition induced him to agree to the reduction of this radius to seven miles, but Mr. W. R. Hargrave, counsel for the applicant, would not accept a seven-mile radius, there being a question of principle involved. Mr. Hargrave pointed out that, although the man himself had said he would be satisfied with a seven-mile radius, the applicant was carrying coal over distances exceeding eight miles.
Counsel for the railways contended that as the applicant himself had agreed to a seven-mile radius, the case was closed, but, after Mr. Hargrave had disputed this argument, the railways decided not to pursue their objection farther. The application was granted in full.
C.M.U.A. at Oswestry and Whitchurch.
A new branch of the Commercial Motor Users Association is being. opened at Oswestry. Hauliers and. others interested should communicate with Mr. Charles, of Direct Transport, Ltd. (Gobowen).
An open meeting has been arranged for Monday next, October 14, at the, Swan Hotel, Whitchurch, commencing. at 7.30 p.m. The chairman will ba Mr. H. Harding (Crewe), and the special speaker, Mr. E. S. Topham (Manchester).