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BR going for C Licence Traffic

17th May 1968, Page 41
17th May 1968
Page 41
Page 41, 17th May 1968 — BR going for C Licence Traffic
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• A number of traders are known to be rethinking their group transport and warehousing policies with the intention of using Freightliner services wholly or partly in place of their own fleets, claimed the British Railways Board in its annual report to Mr. Richard Marsh on Wednesday.

The rapid expansion of this pioneer doorto-door service "which has put BR in the forefront of container operations" was offered by the Board as a bright spot for the year 1967, a year which brought another staggering loss of £153m.

The growth of the Freightliner service, the report said, was shown by the fact that by the end of 1967 these fast, permanently coupled trains were carrying 4,200 loaded containers a week compared with 1,200 at the beginning of the year and 95 a week at the start of 1966.

BR is also preparing for changes in the volume and movement pattern of imports and exports to follow the advent of large deep-sea container ships, and the plan to provide container bases, where international containers can be packed, unpacked and Customs-cleared away from the ports.

Market research for the future included a survey of the supply of and the demand for sand and aggregates in the South-east; a probe into the market for small consignments in the Midlands, and a study of the distribution of built-up motor vehicles—with particular reference to methods by which BR might get a greater share of the market in train-loads, the possibilities for which were described as "encouraging".

Despite all the Freightliner developments, however, total freight receipts sagged by another £25m during 1967. Receipts from coal, iron and steel, and other freight traffic declined, though exceptions to the adverse trend were recorded by three groups— petroleum products, cement and motor vehicles. And the report admitted: "It is clear that the railway's share of available business —other than coal and oil—declined".

The reason given for the loss of revenue was the depressed state of the national economy and the Government's refusal to allow certain increases in fares and charges because of the freeze.

The report grumbled about the perennial problem of fares and charges always lagging behind cost increases and warned Mr. Marsh: "There is an urgent need for head

room to be granted in advance to enable costs and charges to be kept in step".

Turning to the Government's intentions under the Transport Bill, the report said that the creation of the Freightliner company would still leave a substantial volume of wagon-load traffic other than coal, iron and steel with the BR Board. "The complex problem of providing an economic and higher quality service for this type of traffic is being vigorously tackled."

The Board also hoped that, after the planned reorganization of rail finances, the railways would be left alone to get on with their job. "For 21 years, ever since the Act of 1947, British Railways have been subjected to constant changes arising from political considerations."

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