Existing Towing Ambulances to be Made Legal
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THE Minister of Transport proposes to change the regulations dealing with the use of towing ambulances. As a result of the High Court decision in the case of Wilkinson versus Barrett, last year, a towing ambulance, when hauled behind a vehicle but not supporting a load, must have mudguards and springs.
A letter from the Ministry of Transport to interested organizations points out: "Towing imple'bents are generally designed and made for the specific purpose of supporting broken-down vehicles, and in the Minister's opinion they are as a rule not only not designed, but also unsuitable, for being towed unladen and should be carried on the breakdown van, or otherwise, to the scene of use.
"While, therefore, the Minister is prepared to amend the regulations to enable these implements to be towed when not supporting another vehicle, this relaxation will be subject to the conditions (a) that the maximum speed of a vehicle towing an unladen towing implement must not exceed 20 m.p.h. and (b) that the towing of an implement of this kind during the hours of darkness is prohibited."
The Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations, 1955, are to be modified to place beyond doubt the legality of using towing ambulances when combined with any broken-down vehicle to which they can be suitably coupled. The amended regulations will cover cases where vehicles are towed away by the police.
SERCK TAKE OVER BUSINESS
THE business of Minerva Radiators (Spalding), Ltd., has been acquired by Serck Radiator Services, Ltd., London, N.W., and will be managed by Mr. S. Dawes, from Serck's St. Austell branch.
His place will be taken by Mr. R. H. Snuggs, who moves from Bournemouth, where Mr. R. Allchin, from Southampton, takes over. The company's Belfast branch will now be managed by Mr. H. C. Sparkes, who was previously at Carlisle. Mr. W. T. Undery, formerly of Northampton, has taken charge at Carlisle.
Joint management of Northampton and Bedford branches will be under Mr. D. S. O'Callaghan, from Bedford.
VISIT TO COPENHAGEN APARTY of 160 members of the
Institute of Transport, led by the president, Maj.-Gen. G. N. Russell, arrives in Copenhagen on June 17 for an 8-day stay.
Transport undertakings, including the harbour, airport, tramways and railways, and new road works, will be inspected.
The party will include Sir Reginald Wilson and Brig.-Gen. Sir H. Osborne Mance, past presidents, Mr. H. H. Crow, vice-president, and council members.
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