"Grave Difficulties" in Meeting Demands for Steel Traffic
Page 43
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EVIDENCE of "the grave difficulties" being experienced by a haulage
contractor in obtaining long vehicles to meet the demands of a steel manufacturer was given to Mr. G. W. Duncan, Northern Deputy Licensing Authority, at Newcastle upon Tyne, on Monday. He was hearing an application by Mr. Septimus Cook, Consett, Co. Durham, for a B licence for one articulated pole vehicle.
Mr. T. EL Campbell Wardlaw, for the applicant, said that his client was apply ing for a tractor unit of 5 tons 3 cwt.
and a semi-trailer of 54'. tons, with conditions of " road and building materials within 15 miles of Consett, round timber any distance and goods for Siddle C. Cook, Ltd."
The applicant had held a B licence with similar scope for many years but, because of certain diffictdties in 1956, he had applied for a variation deleting two vehicles. This variation was annotated to the effect that two replacements would be acquired at a later date.
Since that time one owner-driven vehicle had been operated. This was specified on a B licence but in February it was transferred to an A licence, to enable goods to be carried for Siddle C. Cook, Lid., and return toads. Giving evidence, Mr. Septirnus Cook said that there was ample work for two vehicles and his turnover was increasing. In 1956, when his two sons were about to go into the Army, he had experienced difficulty in getting suitable drivers and had decided to operate only one vehicle. He had told the Authority that he would acquire replacements later. Now his sons were out of the Army and had decided to join him.
Asked by Mr. I. Robey, for the British Transport Commission, who objected, if it was true that when he had applied for the A licence, in February, he had indicated that he intended to operate only one -Vehicle, Mr. Cook replied that this was so. But, he said, his sons had "changed his mind for him."
Return Traffic He agreed that the real bone of contention during that application was the difficulty in dealing with return traffic, which could not be arranged by Siddle C. Cook, Ltd. He did not want to returnload the vehicle he was applying for now.
After being questioned about the conditions he was applying for, the applicant said that all he wanted was to carry goods through Siddle C. Cook. He was prepared to amend the application accordingly—he "really wanted to carry long lengths of steel.
Mr. Siddle C. Cook, managing director of Siddle C. Cook, Ltd,, supporting his brother, confirmed that if the application were granted there was adequate work available. He had to call vehicles back empty from South Wales to meet the demand of local steel manufacturers. Asked if he hired large • quantities of vehicles to help out, Mr. Cook replied that they could not be hired locally. He could load every long vehicle which came into the area, he said. He had written to British Road Services for help, but had received an "evasive reply."
He then told Mr. Wardlaw that he was in difficulties because his own application for 12 vehicles (The Commercial Motor, April 22) had been refused. He said that on the advice of the Authority he had tendered for the carriage of steel to South Wales. He had placed his tender with the South Durham Steel and Iron Co., Ltd., and upon that tender the steel concern had won the contract.
Damages Feared Yet, when ho had applied to the Authority he was refused the vehicles. As a result, South Durham were pressing him for vehicles and he understood that if the contract had to be "broken up" it would be very costly. He would be held responsible and would face a claim for damages.
Mr. Robey submitted that, although the applicant was entitled to a measure of sympathy, licensing principles questioned the acceptability of evidence of one customer. The application was a normal one for increased facilities and there was no specific evidence of an increase in the business of Siddle C. Cook. There was no evidence of an increase in business trends in the area.
Granting the application Mr. Duncan said that he was entitled to use his own knowledge and he knew that Siddle C. Cook, Ltd. had made repeated applications for licences in the area.
EDINBURGH CLEARS SUEZ LOSS
FOR the third successive year Edinburgh Transport Department has made a profit. The net balance of £5,576 came after the final clearance of the loss of £91,545, incurred during the Suez crisis three years ago.
This result was achieved despite a further reduction of more than 6.5m. in the numbers of passengers carried and the effect of the latest wage award.
Total revenue to May 28 was £3.9m. and working expenses were £3.5m. Loaninterest charges totalled £86.844, loan repayments amounted to £198,407 and expenditure on capital assets was £47,649. Passengers carried numbered 221m. and mileage of 26m. was recorded.
MORE PAY DEMANDS COMING MEW demands for increased wages and improved conditions are to be made on the engineering employers by the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions. Early meetings with motor manufacturers are to be sought to introduce a new system of night shift working, following the introduction of the 42-hour week.