Opinions and Queries
Page 54
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Transport Turmoil of Leeds
VOU have repeatedly drawn attention to the danger of, and the evils which result from, making transport matters a political issue. To what extent this folly Can be carried is shown in the recent example of Leeds —where Labour candidates went to the polls in the last municipal election with the promise that they would seek to abandon the tramway system if elected The tram v. bus controversy is not the pertinent point at issue here—indeed, at Edinburgh the warring parties championed otherwise and it was the Progressives who have succeeded in securing the abolition of electric transport.
If it were not to have such tragic results, the Leeds situation would be amusing, if indeed, a vital commodity like transport. can afford to be made the plaything of municipal politicians.
Over a number of years, Leeds City Transport Department have built up a number of reserved-track tramways, and possess today a very high percentage of route removed entirely from the ptIblic highway. This was to he the first stage of a scheme whereby most, if not all, of the tram tines would be removed from the public highway, and would be placed underground in the centre of the city.
This ambitious plan was initiated by, the former general manager (who did not hesitate to scrap many Miles of tramway where this policy could not be followed) and there seemed, until recently, every indication that ft 'Would be proceeded with.
As the policy of your paper in regard to normal tramway operation today in towns is well known, it is advisable to mention The foregoing, and to add that the long-term plan would presumably have seen the end of all tram lines, other than those which could have become in effect, a high-speed light railway removed from the highway, and of which form of transport you have frequently expressed approval.
To decide upon the type of railcar most suitable to replace the present trams—two experimental models were' built, and those made their appearance just as the last municipal election gave Labour a.majority in Leeds. These cars are roost successful and are popular, but the absurd situatidn obtains that theLabour people are evidently themselves unable to appreciate or accept a means for transport which may be the best for the city, because of an election promise, to which they are committed. It might easily be otherwise and, indeed, in anotltown the' reVerse is likely to take place, but what . intolerable situation for anyone whose responsibility the management and the development of the undertaki of which he has been placed in charge.
Thus it would seem that a development scheme whii has proceeded for years, is to be abruptly scrapped satisfy a political pledge, and if this is the case, the 1 of the travelling public in future will be sad indeed.
London, N.20. L. J. BOYL.ETT.
More "Good Little • Boys"
mY attention has been drawn to the letter publish( in your issue of October 2 over the signature t Mr. E. H. B. Palmer.
Mr. Palmer Presumably refers to the code of condu which has been adopted by the clearing house group c the Road Haulage Association, but he goes on to sugge that the only "good little boys" among clearing hous( are members of that group.
The National Conference of Road Transport Clearin Houses waS formed some 14 years ago for the expre: purpose of bringing some order into the operation c clearing houses. It may fairly be said that the Cot ference has achieved some success in this, as far as ii own membership of established clearing houses . concerned.
Clearing house members of the Conference will nc accept the title of " pirate " clearing houses which M Palmer appears to confer on all who are not membet of the R.H.A. clearing house group.
London, S.W.1. BOYD BOWMAN. Secretary, National Conference of Road Transport Clearing Houses.
41 Years a Regular Reader HAVE been a regular reader of The Coatunercia I Motor since 1912, which means 41 years, but I thinl that there will be others who can beat this record. '
Leeds, 1. R. R. RUDMAN. [This correspondent thinks correctly: several readers hay written to claim a longer record, one, in tact, dates bad] to 1905.—ED.]