One-armed Driver's 14-year Fight n ELIEVED to be Britain's only one
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armed licensed coach. driver, Len IVIunden, of Hampstead Road, Brislington, Bristol, has spent some 14 years trying to establish himself as an independent operator,
After losing his left arm on war service he acquired a coach business at Westonsuper-Mare but had no licence to drive himself. Six years ago, after a protracted struggle, he succeeded in getting a driving licence but has since then been able to operate only on contract hire. .
Last September he applied to the Western Area .Traffic Commissionersto operate excursions. but his request was turned down, and last week heemade another request on the grounds that the circumstances had altered. One reason given was that the branch railway station at Brislington had been closed. He took along three clergymen, Free Church representatives, a retired railway official, a member of Bristol City Council, members of the Women's Institute and other witnesses to support his application.
• Downward Trend
All the objectors, however, said that -tour traffic had shown a downward trend for some time and declared that another independent operator would aggravate the position. A railway representative on the other hand said railway excursions were going up. People were beginrring to realize the value of railway travel. In many "cases rail fares were, cheaper than road, he said.
Objecting, a representative of Bristol Omnibus Co. said there had been a gradual downward trend in tours booking in recent years, and they were dependent on the twos and threes which they were able to pick up. in the city.
A spokesman for Wessex Coaches, Ltd., said if 'more transport were introduced "the whole thing would become unworkable." Empress Coaches and other objectors gave similar evidence. All emphasized that traffic was going down. It was contended that.in view of the steadily declining traffic the time had come to question the whole basis on which operators were working.
Rejecting the application, Mr. Nelson said they had strained themselves to see if they could grant something to Mr. Munden, but were unable to do so. If they were wrong, the applicant could appeal.
MOVED AGAINST "JAMMED" LIGHTS • • A BUS driver who waited for four minutes at traffic lights and then proceeded against them, thinking that they had jammed on 'red, was fined £5, Plus £2 16s. 6d. costs, at Nottingham on Monday. His vehicle moved 6 ft. and was struck by a car.
He. was told by the magistrates that he should have gone to the nearest police station and summoned a constable to control the traffic.