Rail Delivery of Cars Too Slow, Say Scots
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FACILITIES offered by British Railways for the delivery of new cars and tractors from the works to Aberdeen were criticized by members of the Aberdeen motor trade when two. haulage contractors were each, granted an A licence to operate vehicle transporters by the Scottish Deputy Licensing Authority, Mr. Alex Robertson, in Aberdeen last week.
Mr. John K. Gordon, Mile End Avenue. Aberdeen, was granted a licence to carry cars and tractors from works to North East Scotland. The Car Transporter Service, Stonehaven, obtained a licence to carry between car factories and Aberdeenshire, Kincardine and Angus. They also obtained a licence for contract work for branches of S.M.T. Sales and Service, Ltd., in Scotland and Northern England.
Main objectors were British Railways, British Road Services and four road hauliers who operate from Aberdeen.
Mr. Charles W. Greig, for British Railways, said 2,864 cars and tractors were,taken by rail to Aberdeen in 1958. He maintained that the railways could cope adequately with requirements.
Mr. J. N. Forrest, of S.M.T. Sales and Service, said in support of the applications that it took the railways about a
week to deliver cars from factories to Aberdeen. At present 98 per cent. of the cars went by rail.
Mr. Robert Blyth, manager of Reekie Engineering Co., Laurencekirk, said that it took from eight to 10 days to get tractors delivered from works by rail. A transporter would take cars and tractors direct to his depot.
Both applicants undertook to operate the transporters 100 per cent. On the carriage of vehicles.
A third application for an A licence to operate a vehicle transporter, by Mr. William Walker, Deansloch Crescent, Aberdeen, was refused.