Feeder refused 'with regret'
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• An application by W. Wootten and Sons Ltd. for a feeder service between the Lewisham and Grove Park areas of south east London and Paddington or Euston railway stations, in connection with nine-day tours to Eire, was refused "with very great regret" by Mr. D. I. R. Muir, chairman of the Metropolitan Traffic Commissioners, last week. The application was opposed by Southdown Motor Services Ltd., Wallace Arnold Tours Ltd., Galleon World Travel Association Ltd., and Eastern National Omnibus Co. Ltd.
Mr. W. S. Woollen, managing director of the applicants, said that he proposed to operate a 28-seat coach in Eire, and had received permission from the appropriate authorities in the Republic and had booked hotel accommodation for tours starting on the first Monday in May and operating until the last Monday in September. He said that he had received permission from the London Transport Board to operate the feeder service, for which there would be no charge, the cost being part of the inclusive tour. Passengers would travel by British Railways and steamer to Ireland.
The applicant was up against the "absolutely fatal obstacle of no evidence of demand. He was unable to add the last link to a chain of doubtful evidence", said Mr. Muir. However, he added, there might be time for Mr. Wootten to obtain proof of need and re-apply in time for the new season. Questioned by Miss E. Havers, Mr. Wootten admitted that he had only received two provisional bookings and 60 inquiries for the proposed tours.
Mr. E. G. Dravers, Southdown's traffic manager, said that his company provided similar tours, starting from Victoria coach station. He could not, however, state how many passengers from Mr. Wootten's area had travelled on Southdown's Irish tours. Also unable to quote the number of passengers from the Lewisham-Grove Park area was Mr. W. B. Jackson, licensing officer of the Wallace Arnold group.
Summing-up for the objectors, Miss Havers said that there was neither evidence of inconvenience for prospective passengers on Wootten's tours having to employ public transport to reach Paddington, nor evidence of the existence of passengers themselves. The number of people who had inquired represented only 10 per cent of the proposed accommodation.