Operated Illegally for Years, Objector Alleges
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, applicants had been systematic operating illegally to Margate for years, Mr. H. Baekhouse told the Western Traffic Commissioners , the concluding stage of an appli
by Pleasureways (1955), Ltd., CIL for a new severs-day tour to Lie.
was objecting for W. Robinson and (Great Harwood), Ltd., Happiway (Manchester), Ltd., Stanley Spencer (Manchester), Ltd., and Smiths (Wigan). Ltd.
claimed that illegal working by Teways had been so blatant that Mr. A. C. Bond, general manager of Happiways, had applied early last year to run to Margate, he believed that Pleasureways had been operating under licence. All the members of the public who had given evidence on behalf of the applicants had travelled on illegal tours with Pleasureways to either Margate or Torquay, and in law were accomplices. Existing operators must be protected.
Traffic on the Cromer tour, which the applicants proposed to abandon if the Margate tour were authorized, had dropped from more than 800 passengers a year to 244.
Mr. R. C. Oswald, objecting for British Railways, said he could not ignore the irregular operation that had taken place. Witnesses had given an impression of loyalty to the applicants rather than one. of public need.
Mr. J. Booth, for the applicants, said they had been punished for their illegal activities arid their application should now be treated on its merits. There was a substantial demand for the Margate tour. Present facilities were insufficient. Members of the public who had given evidence had all said they did not wish to travel with any company other than Pleasureways.
Decision was reserved. The early part of the hearing was reported last week.