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New C.M.U.A. Policy Announcement
Page 122
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AN amplified statement of policy, supplementing that outlined in the issue of The Commercial Motor dated November 27, has been circulated by the Commercial Motor Users Association. As reported in that issue, the C.M.U.A., following the breach with Associated Road Operators, decided to proceed with a strong policy, which, it is confident, will prove to be of the utmost benefit to the road-transport industry.
The Association declares its intention of keeping a close liaison with other organizations in the industry, with bodies representing allied industries, and with chambers of commerce and trade, with a view to achieving unification of action. The C.M.U.A, policy in relation to the co-ordination of transport is to collaborate towards a system designed in the public interest, subject to satisfactory safeguards. The Association makes the following demands:— C.M.U.A. Demands.
The application of a test of redund ancy should not be in respect only of road operators. Less rigidity is required in licensing, especially in connection with the sale of businesses, mergers, closer working, expansion of trade, temporary decline, etc. Licensingprocedure should be simplified, expedited and made less costly. An A licence should be for a currency period of not less than five years.
The Government should be required to sponsor a system for compensation should a licence be revoked or refused on any ground other than a breach of a licence . condition. Statistics produced by an applicant should be for the information only .of the Licensing Authority, unless required to refute some definite charge made by an objector. Grounds of objection need to be restricted, and the objector should be required to state the full grounds of his 1316 case before the hearing of the licence application.
The use of private cars drawing trailers carrying goods for hire or reward requires to be more effectively regulated.
Taxation should be modified and the whole proceeds allocated to road construction, improvement and maintenance. Commercial-motor taxation must be limited to an equitable proportion.
Weak and narrow bridges must be reconstructed and strengthened in the immediate future, and the normal rates of grant from the Road Fund should be increased to 100 per cent. in approved cases. Important existing roads should he reconstructed, widened, junctions improved and visibility made easier. On classified roads, railway level-crossings must be replaced by bridges or tunnels. Toll roads and bridges must be freed. Adequate access to docks is essential. Provision of additional trunk roads is urgently required.
Legislative Action.
The Association will continue to oppose obnoxious legislation and to endeavour to secure amendments to existing laws and regulations, pressing in particular for the following:— The creation of special traffic courts, vested with civil and criminal jurisdiction, to deal with motoring offences. The liability of the employer for the acts of his employees, or for breaches of a licence condition committed by his employees, should be removed, unless the employer, willingly or knowingly, occasions the violations, The speed limit for pneumatic-tyred heavy motorcars equipped with efficient brakes should be increased to 30 m.p.h. and that for pneurnatic-tyred steam wagons, weighing 14 tons unladen, to 20 m.p.h. The legal maximum rearaxle weight of a pneumatic-tyred fourwheeler to be raised to 9 tons. The legal maximum width of a commercial motor (goods or passenger) to be increased to 7 ft. 9 ins.
A modification of the li,mitations on drivers' hours and rest periods in relation to waiting times at docks, Warehouses and depots, Christmas and other seasonal periods, and with regard to spare drivers.
The fitting of " Iive " rear red lights on horsed vehicles and cycles to be obligatory.
Fight for P.S.V. Operators.
In its fight on behalf of the public service vehicle operator, the C.M.U.A. will pay special attention to the following requirements:— The removal of unreasonable restrictions on methods of travel. The amendment of regulations in relation to the extension of existing services, and the provision of new services re quired by the public. Road service licences to be of not less than five years' validity. Licensing procedure to be simplified, expedited and made less costly. Unreasonable limitations on the duplication of regular services to be removed. The legal maximum length of a four-wheeled double-decker to be increased to 27 ft. 6 ins. Drivers' hours and periods of rest to be modified: The C.M.U.A. emphasizes that these points do not constitute a complete statement of policy, but are intended merely as an indication of the immediate programme which the Association has before it.