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TWO LARGE A-LICENCE APPLICATIONS SUCCEED AND A 'B' BID FAILS

19th March 1965, Page 52
19th March 1965
Page 52
Page 52, 19th March 1965 — TWO LARGE A-LICENCE APPLICATIONS SUCCEED AND A 'B' BID FAILS
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TWd0 large A-licence applications were ealt with quickly by the new North Western Authority, Mr. C. R. Hodgson, at Manchester last week. •

An A-variation bid by Hipwood and Grundy Ltd., Farnworth, to add 10 artics and trailers, totalling 82+ tons, to their existing fleet of 37 vehicles, was scaled down following discussions with the objectors, British Railways and British Road Services, and granted. Mr. R. Ashmore appeared for BR, and BRS were represented by Mr. J. Coffey.

Mr. J. Backhouse, for the applicants, told the LA that it was now proposed to apply for four artics and trailers, with a total unlatlen weight of 33 tons. Additionally, as soon as possible, his clients intended to apply for two further vehicles, for maintenance replacement, on B licence. Mr. Hodgson interjected that he was pleased to hear the proposal about the maintenance vehicles. "My office people" he said, "tell me that applicants are constantly using Regulation 14, which makes an awful lot of work here ".

Continuing, Mr. Backhouse said that vehicle earnings proved intensive operations. R. Fletcher 5nd Sons Ltd., Stonedough, a principal customer, were expanding production substantially in May and their increased output of tissue and lightweight air-mail paper would fully absorb three of the vehicles applied for. Supporting letters from three other customers, including Anglo Continental Container Services (a Transport Holding Company firm) were handed in.

Mr. A. Woodcock, secretary of R. Fletcher and Sons, confirmed that prompt clearance of production was vital. "A few hours delay" he said, "causes great nuisance. particularly to customers using our material for air-mail newspapers." There had been considerable transport difficulties in recent months, Mr. Woodcock continued, and as Fletcher's production was expected to increase to double the existing 7.500 tons a year, additional facilities were essential. TBR Transport Ltd., of Rhodes, nr. Middleton, applied for a new A-licence for 25 vehicles, 21 being tippers, with three flats, and a low-loader. A grant of 24 vehicles was made. Mr. J. Backhouse represented the applicants, and British Railways, the only objector, were represented by Mr. R. Ashmore.

Mr. Backhouse told the Authority that the low-loader applied for had attracted a number of objectors, and his clients now wished to delete this vehicle from the application.

The transport manager of TBR Ltd., Mr. Alan Pilkington, gave evidence relating to customers' requirements. He was prepared to restrict the " solid fuels" applied for to four named customers, with occasional emergency use by other firms, and was willing to give an assurance that back-loading capacity would not be employed on coal haulage.

Continuing, Mr. Pilkington said the haulage and trading activities of TBR Transport and an associated firm, T. Burton (Rhodes) Ltd., would be separated, and goods moved on behalf of the latter would be restricted to a 120-mile radius.

Subject to the agreed amendments to normal user, and to the surrender of existing A, B and C licences, the application was granted.

A new B-licence application of E. R. Scott, Manchester. to put on two vehicles of 7+ tons to carry coal in bulk within 70 miles, was given short shrift by the Authority, at the same hearing. Telling Mr. R. N. Richardson, Scott's manager, that though he faced objections from British Railways and two others, he had come to court with no evidence and no witnesses. "British Railways ", said Mr. Hodgson, "are hanging on to this type of traffic, of which they carry enormous amounts. This is quite the most hopeless case I have heard for a long time, and I've no hesitation in refusing the :ipplication ".


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