News of Municipal Activities
Page 41
Page 42
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Road Gritting and Bus-tyre Damage. The London Passenger Transport Board has informed the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee that the damage caused to the pneumatic tyres of buses by sharp materials used for road gritting in and around the Metropolis, has been steadily increasing. It is felt that a substantial portion of the damage could be avoided if certain kinds of grit were excluded from use.
The Board finds that. in many areas, broken flint is employed, a large proportion of the grit consisting of razoredged chips, which do incalculable harm. The Standing Joint Committee was, therefore, asked to consider reaching an agreement with the various local authorities to avoid the use of sharp flint chippings and to employ more suitable materials for gritting purposes. It was pointed out that broken ragstoue and similar substances were found to be less harmful to tyres.
The Committee is advised that, under present-day conditions, there is a tendency to use rather too much material for gritting the roadways. It considers that the quantity of grit distributed should be considerably reduced and that, where possible, coarse sand or similar material should be used, instead of flints. With regard to the suggestion made by the Board that broken ragstone and similar substances should be used, the Committee is advised that such material is not suitable for the purpose.
Reporting on the matter, Niarylebone Works Committee states that, so far as the surface dressing of wood paving concerned, sand is not satisfactory and that the use of coarse grit has proved to be most effective. Stoke's Gas-compressing Plant.
At a recent meeting of the gas committee of Stoke-on-Trent Corporation, the engineer reported on the progress made in connection with the use of compressed gas for motor vehicles. It appointed a sub-committee to consider the suggestions of the engineer with reference to a demonstration of the plant to interested parties.
Check on Advertising Vehicles.
Complaint has been made to the highways committee of Croydon Corporation regarding the operation of loud-speakers installed on motor vehicles for advertising purposes. The committee considers that the complaint is justified, and the persons responsible • are to be notified that it _is an offence to use or play any mechanical musical instrument in any public place to the annoyance of residents or others.
Improved Fire-engines for the L.C.C.
The first of eight Dennis and Merry-weather motor escape vans, with an improved type of body, has been delivered to the London County Council fire brigade. On the old type of escape van, the crew, sitting on the side platforms and holding a rail, is liable to be throw?, off in the event of a collision, or when taking a corner at considerable speed. whilst the powerful brakes of modern chassis tend to make it even more difficult for the men to keep their seats.
The new type of body provides seating accommodation for the whole of the crew, instead of for only the two men on the driver's seat. Increased space for hose is also provided, and the tank fitted at the rear of the body carries 50 per cent. more water for the first-aid system.
It may be recalled that these machines were briefly referred to in The Commereittl Motor when the order was given.
What Warwickshire's Haulage Costs.
In his annual report,' Mr. D. H. Brown, Warwick county surveyor, states that the quantity of material hauled by hired piecework, at contract rates, from the various railway stations and wharves was 96,493 tons, at a cost of £13,175, or an average of 2s. 8.7d. per ton, delivered to the roads, as compared with 2s 190. per ton in the previous year.
The cost of working the council's steam wagons was £3,807, or an
average of £2 1s.-8d. per day. This figure includes the wages of drivers and loaders, fuel, oil and repairs, but no amount for depreciation, interest on capital, etc. The quantity of material hauled was 33,957 tons. The haulage cost of material delivered to the roads was 2s. 2.8d. per ton, as compared with 2s, 1d. per ton in the previous year.
The two steam tractor and trailer outfits worked between them 466 days during the year, at a cost of £1,270, or £2 14s. 90. per day. The average daily tonnage carried was 44.6, at a cost of is. 2.6d. per ton, as against Is. 2d. during the previous year.
There were 11 petrol lorries owned
by the county council in use. The average, daily working Cost of the Morris-Commercial 30-cwt. lorries was £1 Os. 8d., of the Garner 35-cwt. and 50-cu-t. lorries £1 5s. 7d., and the Thornycroft 6-tonuer £3 Os. 3d. These figures compared with El 2s. 24., £1 5s. 3d., and £.2 12s. 104. respectively in the previous year.
The gas committee of TODMOR,DEN Corporation has empowered a sub-committee to purchase a lorry; The highways committee of LANCS County Council has authorized the purchase a a Morris-Commercial lorry.
The transport committee of MIDDLESBROrGH Corporation recommends the purchase of 15 buses, six of them with oil engines.
The works committee of Porrssn Borough Council has decided to purchase a motor sweeper for dealing with snow, at an estimated cost of fack.
The works committee of ST. PANCRAS Borough Council recommends the acceptance of the tender of Lacre Lorries, Ltd., for the supply of a motor sweeper.
Esmursen Urban District Council is purchasing a Dennis fire-engine with foam and other equipment, a turbine pump and a 30-40 h.p. all-enclosed fire teuder, also of Dennis make.
Municipal Effort to Reduce Accidents.
Croydon Corporation has been asked by its highways committee to consider how far the number of accidents may be reduced by the adoptien of one or more of several expedients, such : (1) The inauguration of "roundabout" systems at main cross roads ; (2) the provision of automatic lights at other principal cross roads ; (3) the defining of crossing places for pedestrians; and (4) the erection of approved signs on secondary roads at all crossings, indicating that there is a major road ahead.
GintiNousist Corporation requires a two-stretcher motor ambulance. Tenders have to be delivered by noon on December 4.
FRTERN BAR.NET Urban District Council is to make provision in estimates for the purchase of a. motor ambulance.
The transport committee of PRESTON Corporation has decided to obtain tenders for tlie supply of 10 oil-engined double-deckers.
STOKE-ON-TRENT Corporation has accepted the tender of the County Garage, Hanley, for the supply of a Vulcan refuse-collector.
MANCH:ESTER CITT Council is buying a Merrsrweather turntable fire-eseape with an all-steel ladder, capable of extension to a height of 100 ft.
• The cleansing committee of &urnGATE Corporation is to invite tenders for the supply of three vehicles for the collection of approximately 30 tons of refuse per day.