First Moves Against Northern Area Scheme.: Opposition Grows
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OPINION now having been -freely expressed on the proposed scheme for setting up a Northern Area Road Passenger Transport Board, preliminary activity to oprtme the proposals is beginning. Newcastle Corporation has formed a committee to examine a plan on which it will subsequently make its
report. Members will consist of the Corporation Transport Committee, together with -the. Parliamentary 'Standing Committee and the Lord Mayor, ex officio.
As regards the .private operators, objections continue to increase. Steps are being taken to oppose the scheme ell along the 1:ne. The Passenger Vehicle Operators Association, as previously, reported, will fight the scheme to the very end, and the Omnibus Passengers Protection Association continues its efforts by expressing in every available way its distaste for the plan. One of the first positive steps has been taken in Newcastle where a provisional committee of action was formed a few days ago. This committee consists of A. R. Bissett (Primrose Coaches, Blaydon), W. Reed (Venture Transport, Ltd., Consett); Hall Bros. (South Shields), R. Graham (Primrose Coaches, Blaydon). Wade Emmerson (O.K. Motor Services. Ltd.), and Hardwick SerVices, Ltd. (Scarborough).
The First Move
Its first move has been to convene a meeting of operators to be held on Thursday. September 22. at the Station Hotel, Newelstle-on-Tyne, at 2.30 p.m.
• A memorandum has been issued stating the objects of the committee and, the factors considered at an earlier meeting. Opposition to the scheme at all stages, and the preservation of the independent operators' livelihood are us first principles.
Private enterprise is thus organizing
itself to intensify resiStance and to attempt to achieve closer cO-operation with the munic:palities. Mr. -T. H. Campbell Wardlaw has agreed to attend the meeting to offer advice .on legal •
quest ions. .
• The committee of action feels that , the proposed Monopoly is unwarranted, unwanted and against the public interest. The present excellent services built up' over a long period by private • and municipal enterprise should not be disturbed. National, local and the trade Press is universally hostile, public protest is growing in vcilume, and the opposition of local authorities is hardening rapidly.
A study of the procedure through-. which this scheme has to go will show that there is no justification for .the, view that all is finished, for the fight is only just beginning.
At the meeting on September 22, a body will be formed to be known as the Conference of Private Bus and Coach Operators in the North. from which members will be elected to the committee of action to replace the provisional committee.
EXHIBITION AND SALE OF USED VEHICLES
AN exhibition and sale of used commercial vehicles will he held at Measharn on September 20, 1949, Awards will be presented for what are considered by the panel of judges to be the best vehicles of their class offered for sale. •
A prize of £25 will be given for the best coach on sale with an additional £100 lithe vehicle be sold. A similar award will be made for the best haulage vehicle. Machines entered must have been registered in this country prior to September 20, 1948. It is being run by the Measham Motor Sales Organization, Tvleasham, Burton-on-Trent.