High B.R.S. Rates Would Have Lost Contracts
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" THERE is clear evidence that if the Western Trinidad Lake is Co., Ltd., had had to tender on the basis of the B.R.S. rates, without the 10 per cent. rebate, they would not have obtained a single contract," said Mr. J. R. C. Samuel-Gibbon before the Transport [Appeal] Tribunal in London. last week.
Mr. Samuel-Gibbon was speaking for Messrs. A. H. Gore, of Clutton, near Bristol. who had been granted permission to add a vehicle to their A licence by the Western Deputy Licensing Authority, a decision which was challenged by the British Transport Commission.
When the hearing opened on February 2 (rep8rted in The Commercial Motor on February 5), the Commission submitted that the Authority had fallen into error in saying there was need for an extra vehicle for the firm, because he could not be assured that British Road Services—who had lost traffic by raising their rates in I952—would' not raise them again and lose further traffic.
At the resumed hearing, Mr. SamuelGibbon said that his clients' work for the Western Trinidad company increased to £12,681 during 1952-53, against £.449 for the previous year. During the same period, B.R.S. work for the company dropped from £38,333 to £5,609.
The traffic which B.R.S. lost, he said, was not all acquired by his clients because Western Trinidad had increased their own fleet from five to 12 vehicles. (Right) One of a number of Thornyeroft Nippy Star oilers comprising a repeat order by I. Lyons and Co., Ltd. The vehicle has the latest Thornycroft pressed-steel cab with Normand body incorporating shelves for confectionery. There is a roller shutter of Normand design at the rear.
Decision was reserved.
WELSH ROAD PRIORITIES
ROAD improvements proposed for West and South Wales were detailed by Mr. J. G. Jones, of the Ministry of Transport, at a meeting of the West Wales District Committee of the Welsh Board for Industry at Swansea.
The proposed schemes, in order of priority, were two sections of the Swansea east-side approach road; the second section of the Neath by-pass from Earlswood to Lonlas and the Port Talbot by-pass. These schemes were additional to four improvements to the Neath-Llanelly road at Bynea Bridge, Corporation Road, Loughor, Llangyfelach by-pass and Morriston by-pass, the first three of which were now under construction.
SEGREGATION AT YARMOUTH
THE principle of segregating coaches I staying for a short time from those remaining longer has been approved by Yarmouth Town Council, and a subcommittee has been appointed to select suitable parking sites.
These decisions followed a meeting with the town planning committee by the Passenger Vehicle Operators Association, who supported proposals for a coach park at the north end of the town and for a central station in Regent Road.
The P.V.O.A. urged that Britannia Pier and other terminal points be retained, and suggested that part of the beach adjoining the pier should also be made a terminus. The Association will be represented on the sub-committee.
TRANSPORT FOR REFINERY WORKERS
FOUR coach operators are engaged in carrying refinery labour to the Isle of Grain. The work of three of them was described in The Commercial Motor on February 5. The fourth company are Olsen Bros., Ltd. (Pickwick Coaches), Mid-Higham, near Rochester. Kent.
Since August, 1951, they have transported canteen staffs engaged on the site of the oil refinery of the AngloIranian Oil Co., Ltd., in the Isle of Grain and living in the Medway towns. At one time, the work was carried on 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In February last year, the company carried the whole of the 9 a.m. staff of E. B. Badgers and Sir Robert McAlpine and Sons from the Medway towns.
At present, Pickwick Coaches arc carrying canteen staffs, McAlpine workers who begin duty at 9 am., and members of Wimpey's staff.
PRODUCTION EXHIBITION
FROM July 7-14 the Production Exhibition and Conference, sponsored by the Institution of Production Engineers and organized by Building Trades Exhibition, Ltd., is to be held at Olympia, London.
This is claimed to be the first time that the story of the research and development behind Britain's productive enterprises has been presented in a graphic form. Several important organizations and associations have promised their assistance.
The address of the organizing secretary is Avenue Chambers, 4 Vernon Place, London, W.C.I.