Off-the-Road Haulage influences Tribunal
Page 47
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
THE Transport Tribunal, in a reserved written decision, has dismissed three appeals — by Bakers Transport (Southampton) Ltd. against the grant of only three artic/independent trailers instead of six requested, and the counter appeals by Pickfords Ltd., and Hill and Sons (Botley and Denmead) Ltd. and another against the grant of any trailers to Bakers Transport (see The Commercial Motor, January 15).
After reviewing the evidence the Tribunal concluded " that the methods of loading cable drums employed by Bakers and by Pickfords respectively are both, when properly executed, reasonably satisfactory when the loads have to be con
veyed along metalled roads. Nevertheless, we cannot do other than regard them as alternatives, and we do not think that it would be right to give a decision which would have the effect of corn
pelling Bakers to adopt Pickfords' method or cease to carry Pirelli's heavier loads." Also, it continued, "we have in mind that Pirelli sometimes require Bakers to haul a cable drum over rough ground at the end of its road journey and that Bakers are willing to provide this additional service. It is true that the licensing system is only concerned with the use of goods vehicles on roads, but it would be shutting our eyes to realities if we refused to notice that authorized vehicles do not spend the whole of their lives on roads . .
Having regard to the long association between Pirelli and Bakers and Bakers' predecessors in • business, the Tribunal considered that Bakers should be allowed to provide such facilities as were reasonably necessary to enable them to continue to carry out Pirelli's work in the changed conditions, of the present time.