More Transport for More Steel
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A N application by G. Read (Transin. port), Ltd., Mitcheldean, Glos, to Mr. S. W. Nelson, Western Licensing Authority, at Bristol on Monday, for six additional vehicles to carry steel from South Wales was only partially successful. They were granted an increase of three vehicles totalling 23-1 tons.
For the applicants, Mr. T. D. Corpe referred to steel expansion schemes valued at £110m. and said that obviously they would increase the need for transport. Mr. Read now had 39 vehicles, said Mr. Corpe; they had earned £138,617 in the past year and had carried nearly 100,000 tons. Some of the vehicles were working 24 hours a day, and some of the steel customers would not permit Mr. Read to hire vehicles.
Witnesses in support of the applicant spoke of long delays at the Ebbw Vale steelworks. If drivers were not at the works by 5 a.m, they might have to wait all day.
Following an agreement with British Road Services, who objected, Mr. Read reduced his original application to four vehicles and also undertook to accommodate no new customers from South Wales. A representative of British Railways, cross-examined by Mr. Corpe, was unable to clarify the railways' position regarding the steel traffic.
Giving his decision, Mr. Nelson said that he did not like to hear of vehicles working twice round the clock in one day. So far as delays at the steelworks were concerned, he thought that the hauliers might get together -and come to a gentlemen's agreement.