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Operators Resist New Conditions

15th May 1959, Page 44
15th May 1959
Page 44
Page 44, 15th May 1959 — Operators Resist New Conditions
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Keywords : Business / Finance

THE North Western Traffic Commis'. sioners were told at Blackpool, on Tuesday, that they were going beyond their powers in seeking to impose restrictive conditions on excursion licences without good and sufficient reason. Mr. Henry Backhouse, on behalf of Blackpool coach operators, said there had been no abuse justifying alterations in conditions which had worked well for 28 years.

The Commissioners proposed to modify the conditions of all new excursion licences by restricting the linking of destinations and catchment areas. Mr. Backhouse said excursion operators as a body in the North Western Area were opposed to the proposals and would support one another in every case.

It was insufficient to publish proposals in Notices and Proceedings that conditions would be imposed unless an operator could give a reason to the contrary. If necessary, a case would be stated on a point of law for the High Court.

Mass restrictions were always bad, added Mr. Backhouse. The " fantail" decision on extended tours in 1933-34 had established restrictive practices by the Traffic Commissioners to protect British Railways and long-distance express operators, The effect had been to their detriment, for every spring the south-coast resorts were full with private parties outside licensing control.

Mr. F. Williamson. chairman, said that following representations by Mr. i0

Backhouse at last year's hearing of their.proposals, it was decided. to .deal with eachcase separately on its merits on renewal. . They were now dealing with new licences and he was satisfied they had adopted the proper procedure. .

Supporting the Commissioners' proposals, Mr. P. Kershaw, for British Railways, submitted that the linking of. destinations might be outside the law. Inprinciple, an excursion was an express service from A to B, and if B were linked. with C and D, the operator must be licensed to serve all three places.

Mr. Backhouse replied that the Passenger Vehicle Operators' Association were prepared to provide a test case on which the Commissioners could prosecute for irregular .operation.

After hearing the first application by Birch Motor Services, Ltd., Mr. Williamson asked for complete figures for two years' operation, and was told that, through a misunderstanding, only those referring to linking had been prepared. The hearing was adjourned until full figures were available.

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Organisations: High Court

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