Duple plan to boost Willowbrook production
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• Although no Duple or Willowbrook bodies were listed in the National Bus Company's rolling stock programme for 1971, published in CM July 31, Willowbrook Ltd is committed to a total of 173 single-deck bus bodies for NBC to be built during the next 12 months. So great is the demand for Willowbrook bodies that Duple Group Sales is considering plans for increasing production at its Loughborough plant.
A Duple spokesman told CM that the Group had, in fact, advised the NBC that it would be unable to accept any additional commitment for 1971—hence its absence from the rolling stock list. Current contracts include 11 53-seat 11-metre buses and seven 45-seat 10-metre buses on Leyland Leopard chassis for Yorkshire Traction Co Ltd. One of the former buses will be exhibited on the Willowbrook stand at Earls Court.
Other outstanding orders for NBC bus bodies include the following: Devon General (14), on 10 and 11 metre AEC Reliance chassis; Western Welsh (20), Rhondda (10), Midland Red (52) and Maidstone and District (20), all on 10 or 11 metre Leyland Leopard chassis; and , 30 on Daimler Fleetline chassis for Maidstone and District.
In addition, the Willowbrook order book includes many orders from municipal and other operators, some of the more notable including double-deck bus bodies for Nottingham City Transport (50) on Daimler Fleetline and Leyland Atlantean chassis; Cardiff Corporation Transport (26) Fleetline; and Brighton Corporation Transport (10) Atlantean.
Orders for single-deckers include: Great
Yarmouth Corporation Transport (21; Ipswich (six), and Aberdare (six), all 01 AEC Swift chassis; Greater Lando] Council (19), Metropolitan Police (40), al on Bedford VAS; Derby Corporatioi Transport (six) and Northampton (20), at on Daimler Fleetline chassis.
Bee-line appeals
• Bee-Line Roadways Ltd, Middles brough, is appealing to the Ministry o Transport against the refusal of th Northern Traffic Commissioners to allow i to operate buses to the Teesside Airport fc holidaymakers bound for the Mediterraneai from Newcastle upon Tyne and Sunderland