No Decision on Four-vehicle Bid by Felixstowe Haulier
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A FTER hearing objections by 12 road in-haulage firms on Tuesday, Mr. W. P. S. Ormond, the Eastern Licensing Authority, deferred judgment on an application by Mr. William Stockell, of Felixstowe.
Mr. Stockell applied for A licences for four artics of 26 tons for general use, mainly timber, in London, the Midland and the Eastern counties.
Mr. M. H. Jackson-Lipkin, for the applicant, said that, in the main, articulated vehicles would be carrying timber from Felixstowe Dock.
"There has been very considerable expansion over the past few years at the dock and further extensions are estimated to cost f3m.'7, he said. "The number of vehicles using the docks has increased from 25,800 in 1959 to approximately 54,000 in 1963."
There was a great need for assistance in the removal of timber from the docks, said Mr. Jackson-Lipkin. Cargo had been held from July, 1963, until February, 1964, and there was an overwhelming demand for road transport. Trade in the Port of Felixstowe had built up. in recent years and was continuing to do so.
Mr. Jackson-Lipkin added that one important point was made in a letter from two companies which backed the application. Felixstowe Dock Co. and James Fisher Ltd., haulage contractors, both said: "Rates in any event in this area are very low and as a result we have to suffer breakdowns."
A transport liaison officer at Felixstowe dock, Mr. Stanley Butcher of Felixstowe, said that timber had to be stored on the quay sometimes for seven months because of lack of road transport. • " It is obvious that there is plenty of work for everyone ", he commented.
Mr. S. J. Green. for some of the objectors, said • that if the application were 'granted there 'would be a "taxi rank" of lorries waiting to unload from the ships."There is no evidence to justify even one vehicle on a full-time licence ", he said.
IN BRIEF' Express Express .Couch Bid Refused: An application by four bus companies • to oPerate a new express coach service between Alfreton. Derbyshire, and London has been •rejected by the East Midland Traffic Commissioners. The plan was oppOsed by British Railways. The companies were the Trent Motor Traction Co. Ltd., Midland GeneralOmnibus Co. Ltd., United Counties Omnibus Co. Ltd. and Yelloway Motor Services Ltd.
Glasgow Seeks Higher Bus Fares: Application will be Made by the Glasgow Corporation to raisefares on the city's buses, despite severe criticism last week at a meeting of the Corporation. The increases, if granted, will bring in additional revenue of £560,000 a year. Attacking the proposed higher' fares,
• ClIr. John Warren submitted, a plan to help win back lost -passengers on the buses. He proposed paying a bonus of 3d. in the pound to bus crews, to be paid only out of excess revenue. The. transport convener agreed to try to work out such a scheme.
"fribunal Next Week: The Transport Tribunal will sit in London next week to hear three appeals. On Tuesday the Transport Holding Co. (Pickfords) is the appellant against a decision of the Metropolitan deputy L.A., with K. W. J. Edwards and another • as respondents: on Wednesday. Ham Wharfage Co. 'Ltd. is appealing against a decision of the same Authority, with British Railways and another responding: and on ThOrsday the appellant is 0. E. Thornton, with C. W. Knight and others responding, in, respect of a decision by the W. Midland deputy L.A.