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Crane firm wins new centre application
Page 37
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A CRANE hire operator has been granted a new operating centre: the proposal had initially been rejected on safety grounds by South Eastern and Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner Christopher Heaps. The local authority, which had objected on environmental grounds, had undermined its case by failing to attend the original inquiry.
Southern Cranes & Access of West Sussex holds a licence for two vehicles and three trailers based at Pu!borough. It had sought a new operating centre at Horsham for three vehicles and three trailers at a site which is the operating centre for two other licences.
Access was via the A24 trunk road. Horsham District Council objected on environmental grounds and there were representations from neighbours.
In his original decision, following a site visit, the TC said he was satisfied that he should not refuse the application on environmental grounds. However, he had grave doubts about the suitability of the site because of possible dangers at the junction of its access with the A24 (CM 17 February).
The company asked for the public inquiry to be reconvened because the road safety aspect had not been explored in any detail and the council had failed to attend the inquiry.
Appearing for the company,Jim Duckworth said it was only aware of one accident that had occurred at the junction and that had been caused by an "undertaking" manoeuvre.
Sam Gilbert, of Sweeptech, said his company operated 10 road sweepers from the site and despite the fact they were slow moving vehicles, no problems had been encountered at the junction.
Granting the application subject to a number of agreed environmental conditions, t heTC urged tutory objectors to attend public inquiries and to present evidence when an objection had been lodged.
He remained concerned that the emergence of slow moving vehicles on to the dual carriageway might cause approaching speeding vehicles to pull over and come into conflict with vehicles in the outside lane.