"Transport Not Now Political Issue
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ANimpression that transport was no longer a party political issue was expressed by Viscount Hinchingbrooke, M.P., when he spoke at the annual -luncheon of the East Midland Division of the Traders' Road Transport Association in Nottingham last week. He said that he did not notice any great feelings on the subject by the Socialists or see any indication that they were eparing an attack on transport at the next election. The fuel tax should be lowered, he thought, but he did not believe that a cut would be made in the Budget next week, which would be a standstill measure. Transport costs could be reduced only by lower fuel tax. Mr. S. C. Bond, national chairman of the Association, called for a National Highway Authority financed by a road loan. He considered it more urgent to remove black spots than to build motorways. Mr. A. G. Curtis, East Midland Licensing Authority,, said that in December, 1953, there were 71,886 C-licensees in the area and in December, 1955, 79,154. Mr. C. J. Horsley, chairman of the Western Division of the T.R.T.A., welcomed the Minister of Transport's intention to eliminate city bottlenecks when. he spoke at Bristol last Friday. He hoped that local authorities would consult traders before putting proposed traffic bans to the Minister for approval.
MORE TRAFFIC, FEWER VEHICLES
A GRICULTURAL traffic in West r-1 Fife was steadily increasing, but the number of vehicles to deal with it had dropped, the Scottish Deputy Licensing Authority was told last week. This was stated by Mr. D. West, partner in Messrs. West's Transport, Dunfermline, and former manager of the South Fife Group, British Road Services, when he sought a B licence to carry agricultural goods. Goods were being carried under short-term licences due shortly to expire. During the 51 weeks ended January 31, hiring cost the applicants £2,052 and haulage revenue was approximately 125,000.
British Railways opposed the application. Decision was reserved.
NEW VEHICLES' SPEEDOMETERS DEFECTIVE
WHEN R. Rankin and Sons, Ltd., Newcastle upon Tyne, were prosecuted at Middlesbrough, for using vehicles with inefficient speedometers, it was stated that the vehicles were new. The company had 70 tankers and maintenance was thorough. There had been only one minor conviction since 1900. The company were fined a total of £2. The drivers were fined £1 10s. each for speeding and £5 for careless driving, and their licences were endorsed.