AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

"Use 30 m.p.h.," Says Minister

17th May 1957, Page 30
17th May 1957
Page 30
Page 30, 17th May 1957 — "Use 30 m.p.h.," Says Minister
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

"MAKE use of your 30 m.p.h. now you have got. it," was the advice given by the MiTnister of Transport, Mr: Harold Watkinson, at the annual luncheon of the Road Haulage Association held in London on Tuesday.

Whilst a better road system was an admitted necessity, he favoured a policy directed to the overall improvement in the smooth flow of traffic, rather than the diversion of all resources into the construction of a few super roadways.

To that end, any increase in speed limits which permitted easier traffic flow was to be commended.

Referring to the criticism that two or three years often elapsed between road schemes being sanctioned and construction commencing, Mr. Watkinson commented that the alternative was to take the risk of a series of Criehel Down. cases, which no Government were prepared to do.

He could say, however, that contracts would be placed before the end of the year for the improvements to be made at Hyde Park Corner. Expanding trade demanded a modern transport system, and he intended to ensure it was provided.

In his reply, Mr. R. G. Crowther, national chairman of the R.H.A., also referred to the increased speed limit for heavy goods vehicles.

Emphasizing that the Association stood by their agreement that no man should receive less pay for doing the same work now .that 30 m.p.h. was permitted, M. Crowther said they were nevertheless convinced that no clear-cut solution was to be found by way of a A28 formula giving an overall wage increase.

Mr. Crowther drew the Minister's attention to the heavy and unequal proportion of tax on hydrocarbon oils paid by operators of goods vehicles, and to the unfairness of purchase fax on the chassis of commercial vehicles.

Lord Brabazon of Tara suggested that whilsefinance for new road construction may be limited, irritability on long twotrack roads might .be considerably reduced by the extension of the present lay-bys by up to half „a mile, thereby permitting some readjustment of traffic.

The luncheon was attended by a record number of over 500 people.

SPEED TALKS NOT FIXED

AS The Commercial Motor closed for press it was understood that the postponed meeting between British Road Services and the unions to discuss adjustments of wages and conditions of heavy goods vehicle drivers now permitted to operate up to 30 m.p.h., had still to be arranged.

The unions were also awaiting a reply from the Ministry of Transport to their request that the present legal maximum driving period of 11 hours should be reduced to 10 hours.

NEW ROUTE PROPOSED

AN application is to be made by Glasgow Transport Committee to run a bus service from Easterhouse to the centre of the city. It would be operated in agreement with Scottish Omnibuses, Ltd., and fares would be coordinated.


comments powered by Disqus