Traffic from Reopened Mines

13th November 1959, Page 80

13th November 1959

Page 80

Page 80, 13th November 1959 — Traffic from Reopened Mines

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Pitreopening of Overtown and uthill mines meant much more transport for the National Coal Board and the Scottish Gas Board. Mr. W. F. Quin, Scottish Licensing Authority, was told this at Glasgow last week, when Gordon B. Caldwell, Ltd., Wishaw, were granted six new Blicensed vehicles.

The company sought a licence for eight vehicles to carry coke, solid fuel, building and road materials, said Mr. R. Mackenzie, for the applicant.

There was a potential volume of 200-1,100 tons per week from Overtown, said Mr. John Marshall, managing director. The company already operated three Band five A-licensed lorries and had specialized in the development of longwheelbase tippers capable of carrying high tonnages.

Evidence was given of hiring to the value of £12,000 on a turnover of £25,200, which Mr. Mackenzie described as the highest proportion of hiring submitted to the court for a long time.

Mr. John Sherriff, deputy transport superintendent of the Scottish Gas Board, said that there was new traffic in bringing

coke from gasworks into Glasgow. There were prospects of increasing -work and the Board sought vehicles of the largest possible bulk carrying capacity.

Objecting on behalf of William Carmichael, Ltd., Mr. J. Law said that they operated 80-90 vehicles. They had lost the ash and rubbish carrying work in March, 1959. Carmichael had a periodic surphis of suitable vehicles. They could undertake the new coke traffic.

Similar evidence was offered by the other objectors, who indicated that vehicles were available for the new traffic and for backloading. Mr. Law said that the Gas Board might consider offering such work for public tender in future, and argued that road and building materials should be excluded from the proposals.

Summing up, Mr. Mackenzie claimed that an operator, whether holding A or B licences, was equally entitled to flexibility to allow interchange of vehicles.

A grant was made for six vehicles for solid fuel from non-rail sites, coke from gasworks into Glasgow, and road and building materials in Glasgow and adjacent areas.