R.H.A. Criticizes New Order
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THE Road Haulage Association has protested to the Ministry of Transport against certain of the provisions of the Motor Vehicles (Authorization of Special Types) Order, 1951, which was outlined in "The Commercial Motor," on September 21.
According to article 8 (a) of the Order, the period of notice which operators are required to give to authorities en route, "wherever the total weight of the vehicle exceeds 75 tons, is to be extended from two to six days. Although the Ministry consulted the Association when the Order was in draft form, no indication was given of this alteration, which, the R.H.A. considers, will at times involve heavy hauliers in great difficulties.
Strong exception is taken to the omission of the words, "provided that the claim in respect of such damage is made within 12 months of the time such damage was caused," from the form of indemnity shown in the Schedule to the Order, although they were included in the draft. Operators may thus have claims made against them in respect of alleged damage to roads or bridges any number of years ago.
The Association has also pointed out that although the Minister may make a special Order to sanction the movement of abnormal indivisible loads of a total weight of more than 150 tons or an overall width in excess of 20 ft., the Authorization of Special Types Order lays down no procedure for such dispensation.
NO NEED TO FEAR CUT IN OIL OUTPUT
THE Shell and Anglo-Iranian oil companies have refineries in the United Kingdom producing petroleum products at the rate of 15m. tons per year. This output will be expanded to 18m. tons.
Mr. T. W. Lyle, general manager of Scottish Oils and Shell-N/1ex, Ltd., made this statement when he spoke at the annual dinner of the Scottish section of the Institute of Transport.
So far as the group's refineries were concerned, he added, there was no need to fear inability to maintain operation at hill capacity.