Linking Irregularities Admitted

13th November 1959, Page 78

13th November 1959

Page 78

Page 78, 13th November 1959 — Linking Irregularities Admitted

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TiERE had been technical irregulardes for many years in the linking of destinations, admitted Mr. H. Backhouse, for a number of Oldham coach operators, to the North Western Traffic Commissioners last week.

Prompted by the Commissioners' general proposals to attach conditions to licences to prohibit unauthorized linking, the operators in this town had their turn to apply to modify their licences.

They sought the following links: Llandudno, Rhyl and Colwyn Bay; YorkBridlingto n; Chester-Rhyl; York Scarborough; Windermere Keswick; Morecambe-Keswick, Blackpool, Cleveleys and Fleetwood; and Buxton-Matlock.

Mr. Backhouse added that irregularities were not serious unless there had been deviations from licensed routes, or if journeys had been altered in character.

Acquisition of the shares of Merriway Tours, Ltd., by Mr. Hubert Allen, managing director, Yelloway Motor Services, Ltd., and Creams (Lancashire), Ltd., had led to the withdrawal of Merriway's application, Mr. Backhouse continued.

Merriways were now regarded as being "in the enemy camp." He had instructed his clients to refuse to answer questions concerning alleged irregularities by Mr. Allen. The proper procedure was through the enforcement department. • Cross-examined by Mr. R. Oswald, for British Railways, Mr. Harry Stott, of Stott's Tours and H. Ramsden, Ltd., said that, as far back as he could remember, destinations had been linked when it was considered uneconomical to run singly. Picking-up points in Oldham on the licences of many operators had been used interchangeably.

Questioned on the use of more vehicles than authorized during the holiday fortnight, Mr. Stott said that this had been done for a long tithe. He wanted to be in line with all the other Oldham operators and link when he thought fit.

Objecting for Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., and others, Mr.' F. D. Walker pointed out that in July, excursion operators had been forbidden to link in any way which involved deviation from authorized routes, and yet Stott's had taken no notice.

The Commissioners decided that each application should be dealt with individually later.