R.A.F. Choice of OperatorDefended
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DEFENDING the grant of a licence to Smiths Luxury Coaches (Reading), Ltd., authorizing them to operate an express carriage service between Reading arid Woocicote R.A.F. Station, Mr. C. R. Beddington said at an appeal hearing in London last week that what counted in the matter was what the Air Force wanted. If the R.A.F. had chosen an operator, the Licensing Authority would want reasons for overruling that choice.
The appeal, made by Chiltern Queens, Ltd., Woodcote, was against the grant of the licence to Smiths, also against the South Eastern Licensing Authority's refusal to grant them backings for two express services between the same points.
Mr. M. A. B. King Hamilton, Q.C., for the appellants, said that what was in dispute was who should carry civilian workers from Reading to the camp.
His clients claimed that they should have the licences because the established operators were normally granted any new services, and also because it would cost the Air Ministry less.
Mr. Beddington submitted that the case was essentially one for the Authority's discretion. The traffic originated in Reading, and it was for a Reading operator to carry it.
If the appellants operated the service, they would have to run empty from Woodeote to Reading in the morning and return empty from Reading in the evening.
The appeal was heard by a Ministry of Transport inspector. Mr. R. L. H. Hiseott.
I.O.T. FIXTURES
T"presidential address to the Institute of Transport will be given by Mr. Peter G. Masefield on October
10. The Henry Spurner Memorial Lecture is to be given by Mr. I. B. Burnell on December 12. His subject will be "Urban Passenger Transport— Problems, Palliatives, Cures."
" Trends in British Transport" will be the subject of Mr. David Blee on January 9, 1956, and on March 12, Sir John Cockcroft will speak on "The Applications of Nuclear Power to Transport."
These meetings will all take place at 5.45 p.m. at the Jarvis Hall. 66 Portland Place, London, W.I.
GOOD LIGHTING CUTS RISKS IMPROVED street lighting in North
ampton reduced accidents involving death and serious injury by 1 per cent., compared with an increase of 2.5 per cent, in the national average. This fact is emphasized by the British Electrical Development Association in their exhibit at the conference of the Association of Public Lighting Engineers at Folkestone this week. Modernization of street lighting on a national scale would prevent 50,400 road casualties in five years, claim the Association. . B4
Strong Evidence Makes Objectors Withdraw
QTRONG supporting evidence was I–) produced before the Northern Licensing Authority, last week, when Messrs. J. S. Stirk and Sons, Staindrop, applied for three extra vehicles. British Railways withdrew their objection and the application succeeded.
Applicants provided transport for the construction of the Selset reservoir in Upper Teesdale. One contractor had to supply 200,000 tons of limestone over five years, and another 100,000 tons of sand and gravel over four years.
Messrs. Stirk also had to provide vehicles for Durham County Council, North Riding County Council, the Air Ministry and many industrial concerns on Tees-side.
LOAD FELL OFF LORRY: TWO FINED
T"driver and owner of a vehicle, the load of which fell off in Sheffield, were fined at Sheffield last week. It was stated that 14 bars of steel dropped from the vehicle and traffic was held up for 3i hours. It was alleged that the vehicle was overloaded.
Erie Alfred Joesbury, Grange Road, Birmingham, the owner of the vehicle, was fined £5 and ordered to pay £1 15s. 5d. costs, and Edward Bennett, Upper Marshall Street, Birmingham, the driver, was fined £2.
Support by Labour Exchange Manager
THE manager of Bakewelt employ1 ment exchange appeared before the East Midlands Deputy Licensing Authority last week to support an application by Mr. J. Nicholson, Lakeside, Bakewell, who was injured in a *tarry accident six years ago.
Applicant sought a B licence to carry for three quarrying companies' within 20 miles. Mr. G. Andrews, the manager, stated that Mr. Nicholson had used the money paid.him in accident compensation to buy two tippers.
"They are the only kind of hirry which he can operate, because he is unable to cici heavy lifting' and could not load or unload any other type of lorry," said Mr. Andrews.
Applicant had an ex-British Road Services vehicle used for the Milk Marketing Board, but he could not lift the churns.
The three quarrying companies supported the application, stating that they could keep Mr. Nicholson fully employed. The licence was granted.
MOTORS PLUS HORSES
AN application by owners of horsed transport came before the Western Licensing Authority on Monday. Messrs. H. and A. Withey, Trinity Place, Newtown; Bristol, sought a B licence to meet the demands by customers for mechanical transport. Horses and trolleys would continue to be operated.
Mr. T. D. Corpe, for the applicants, said that they had purchased three horses and five trolleys 18 months ago from William Burgess, Ltd. Messrs. Withey were having difficulty in supplying customers with transport beyond the local area -which could be covered by horsed vehicles.
Supporting witnesses said that they employed British Road Services, but if the application were granted, present arrangements would not be affected.
B.R.S., the railways and Western Transport, Ltd., objected. The Authority granted a licence for general goods within 15 miles and goods for Messrs. EL H..and S. Budgett to and from Cheltenham and Temple Combe.
BUS HUNTS FOR CREWS
ABUS is being used as a mobile recruiting station by Sheffield Transport Department, which is short of 500 drivers and conductors. It has already spent two weeks at Pond Street, in the city centre, where results have been reasonable, and it is touring the suburbs this week and next.
WORLD MEETING
THE second world meeting of the International Road Federation will take place in Rome from October 2-6. Mr. F. A. C. Guepin, vice-chairman of the London office of T.R.F., will be among the speakers, and Sir William Rootes, chairman of the London office, will preside at the opening session.