Hauliers' scope widened
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• Two subsidiary companies of Ranks Hoyis McDougall Ltd were granted B licences for a total of 20 vehicles by the Western LA, Mr J R. C. Samuel-Gibbon, at Cheltenham on Tuesday. Both companies, Townsend and Co Ltd, of Stroud. and Rawlings, James and Phillips Ltd. of Caine. were represented by Mr A. C. J. Grieves.
Mr Grieves said the two companies manufactured agricultural products and animal foodstuff. The application covered mainly flat and bulk vehicles now operated under C licences.
They aimed to use the present fleets to the fullest advantage. At present, only 50 per cent of available capacity was being taken up during return journeys and it was proposed to use the spare capacity carrying for other companies within the Ranks group. Long distances would sometimes be covered, occasionally as far as Scotland or East Anglia, although a more regular journey would be from Stroud to A vo nmouth.
The application had been amended to indicate the two companies would be operating for Ranks Hovis subsidiaries but excluding British Isles Transport Ltd, and because of these amendments an objection by British Railways had been withdrawn, said Mr Grieves.
Mr R. H. Curtis, transport manager of Rawlings, and Mr J. P. A. Kerr, secretary and accountant of Townsend, confirmed that neither British Railways nor any other haulier would lose business should the application be granted.
At the same inquiry, Mr Samuel-Gibbon adjourned an application made by Mr C. F. Clune, of Deans Way, Gloucester, for an 0 licence for two vehicles to be added to his existing fleet of seven. A recent inspection made by a vehicle examiner, said Mr Samuel-Gibbon, had resulted in the prohibition of five of Mr Ciune's seven vehicles.
The LA adjourned the hearing in order to reconsider the report of the vehicle examiner and decide whether to exercise his powers, under Section 69 of the 1968 Transport Act, to revoke, suspend or curtail the operator's licence.