B.T.C. Fight C. and D. Service A DISPUTE over the licensing of
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additional vehicles in connection with a London-Ipswich trunk service came before the Transport Tribunal, in London, last week. After a two-day hearing the tribunal reserved their decision.
The British Transport Commission aPpealed against the decision of the Metropolitan Deputy Licensing Authority to grant B licences to Reece Bros. Transport, Ltd., 36 Tavistock Street, London, W.C.2. They were in respect of two lorries to be used on collection and delivery within a 25-mile radius of Bethnal Green for the company's London-Ipswich trunk service.
Mr. C. R. Beddington, for the Commission, said the trunk route was a short one of about 62 miles and the journey could be performed in about three hours, which left a great deal of time for collection and delivery by the trunk vehicles themselves, most of which were small and suitable for the purpose. It was possible for a vehicle to make the round trip in a day. Mr. Beddington submitted that the earnings stated to have been made by the vehicles were fantastic. If Reece Bros. had to hire vehicles, they could do so from the B.T.C.
When considering loads to docks, it was not economic to use one or two vehicles for collection and delivery. It would be more economic to use the existing specialized services, such as those supplied by the East London Group of British Road Services.
Mr. D. L. McDonnell, replying for Reece Bros., submitted that the criticisms made by Mr. Beddington could have been put in cross-examination at the hearing before the Licensing Authority, but he had not done so. Although it had been suggested that there would be plenty of time for the trunk vehicles to do the collection and delivery, it might be possible for them to make the journey twice in a day.
Turnover, although high, was going up substantially. That was another point on which there had been no cross-examination.