News of Municipal Activities
Page 35
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The Limitation of Petrol Stations in London.
St. Panera.s Borough Council's highways committee has considered the London County Council's proposals for the prohibition of the establishmea of petrol stations in certain streets and places in the county of London.
The draft by-laws have been examined in detail by the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee, which had no observations to make thereon, but decided to make representations to the Home Secretary and the L.C.C. that the powers of local authorities regarding the erection of petrol-filling stations should be strengthened and amplified. It recommended the borough councils to endorse this opinion.
Buses Cause Fewest Accidents.
One of the interesting facts revealed by the annual report of the chief constable of Manchester is that motorbuses are responsible for a smaller number of fatal and non-fatal accidents than any other class of four-wheeled vehicle.
Of the accidents that occurred last year, 1,029 motorbuses, 1,687 cycles. 1,377 tramcars, 4,078 lorries and vans, and 6,084 motorcars were involved. The casualty list in respect of motorbuses 'was 144, cycles 752, lorries and vans 433, tramcars 214, and motorcars 1,032.
What Does the Amber Light Mean?
One of the problems that have presented themselves as a result of the increase in the number of automatic traffic signals in operation, is that experienced • when drivers proceed over a junction thus controlled, against the amber light. The chief constable of Manchester, in his annual report, comments on this matter. He says that there appears to be a considerable divergence of opinion at the Petty Sessional Courts in this connection, and definite legislation on the point is an urgent and desirable reform. The provisions of section 49 (b) of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, are, in his opinion, capable of too wide an interpretation in relation to the amber light and should be revised, so that traffic should cross a mechanically controlled road intersection only at a time when the green, or "Go," signal is showing.
Mechanical Transport Saves Rates.
When Salford Corporation changes over to mechanical transport for municipal cleansing services, 28 men will be surplus, their approximate wages totalling £3,567 per annum. In its report the cleansing committee mentions that, in March, the cleansing inspector to the Ministry of Health visited the department in Salford and called attention to the fact " that, compared with other towns which submit costing returns to the. Ministry, the cost of public cleansing in Salford is the highest and that the present cost of refuse collection (10s. 7d. per ton) and of disposal by burning (9s. 7d. per ton) is too high."
A prize of £5 5s. has been offered by the electricity department of Bradford Corporation for the best design, by a member of the technical college, in connection with the new fleet of corporation vehicles. Stockton Interested in Small Fireengines.
At a recent meeting of the watch committee of Stockton-on-Tees Corporation, the chief officer submitted a schedule containing details of five tenders received for the supply of a new fireengine, including information as to whether tenderers were prepared to purchase the old machine, and, 'if so, at what figure.
In addition to submitting quotations for an engine, as specified, one of the concerns made a quotation in respect et the supply of a 28 h.p. 400-6(X)-gallon appliance. After considerable discussion, it was decided that the other companies should be given an opportunity of quoting for a similar-powered engine ,(or approximate to it).
York's Police Motors.
In his annual report, the York chief constable states that two Jowett cars are used in connection with emergency calls and inquiries. Being low-poweted, they are exceedingly economical, giving excellent results, • A Morris-Commercial utility van, used for the conveyance of prisoners, etc., is stated to be of much value. It responded to 503 calls and covered 1,087 miles during the year.
Chesterfield to Investigate Gas Fuel. Chesterfield Corporation has appointed a sub-committee, consisting of the chairman and vice-chairmen of the highways, transport, gas, electricity and sewagedisposal and cleansing committees to investigate the use of coke-oven gas as a fuel for vehicles, with power to take any action that is deemed to be necessary. B21