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Conflict on Licensing Policy

16th May 1958, Page 28
16th May 1958
Page 28
Page 28, 16th May 1958 — Conflict on Licensing Policy
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

A CURIOUS lack of uniformity in dealing with the renewal of free A and open A licences for the cartage fleets of British Railways has become evident. The railways are applying in all areas for renewal and their normal operations have been described as all classes and descriptions of goods within 20 Miles of base, mainly for the collection and delivery of railborne traffic. There have been no objections, and the radius of 20 miles adopted by all regions of British Railways must be assumed to be reasonable.

Applications in the Metropolitan, Western, South Wales, South Eastern, Eastern, East Midland and Northern Traffic Areas have been granted as made, without inquiry. As The Commercial Motor reported last week, the North Western Licensing Authority granted the railways' applications in his area after a public inquiry. The Yorkshire Licensing Authority has also decided to hear the railways' applications at public inquiries, but in this case they are expected to occupy five days. On the basis of the inquiry in the North Western Area last week, it might have been supposed that the Yorkshire applications could be disposed of in five hours at the most.

Whether or not a searching public inquiry should be held is a matter for debate, but the conflict of policies is puzzling. The Licensing Authorities held a conference in London a few weeks ago and it might have been expected that a uniform policy would have been agreed. It would be unfortunate for the licensing system if hauliers gained the impression, from the desire of a Licensing Authority to ensure justice, that an applicant stood a better chance of having his application granted in one area than in another.


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