May 1 is "30" Day
Page 35
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ONMay I the speed limit for heavy goods vehicles, including articulated outfits, will be raised to 30 m.p.h. Drawbar trailer combinations are excluded from the concession.
Sir Leonard Browett, chairman of the committee of trade and industry on
the heavy goods vehicle -speed limit,
welcomed the Minister of, Transport's announcement last week, "Trade and industry generally and road transport operators have long awaited this reform. It will contribute materially to increased productivity at a critical time, and will also have the highly important effect of benefiting the export of heavy goods vehicles," he said.
Welcoming the Minister's decision, the Road Haulage Association said: The precise effectorpon the operations of hauliers will not be known until some time after the change is made. It is certain, however, that a uniform speed limit will improve the flow of traffic and will lessen the strain upon drivers, who undoubtedly have a sense of frustration at the present law restricting the speed of heavy goods vehicles to a maximum far below the level necessary for safety."
The British Road Federation congrat
ulated the Minister and said: "This will at last abolish a ridicule of the
law.... The old limit had a hampering effect on the export of British commercial vehicles."
POOLS SUGGESTED: DRIVERS GIVEN NOTICE
ATRAFFIC pool to alleviate the fuel shortage has been suggested by the Hoveringham Gravel Co., near Newark. The company own one of the largest fleets in Nottinghamshire and have invited the National Coal Board and private companies to join a scheme. Gravel vehicles return empty and could be used by other operators delivering goods to the Newark area.
Because of rationing, the concern have taken 35 of their 150 vehicles off the road and served notice on 25 drivers. Drivers of the other 10 vehicles stood off have been put on other work.
Fish retailers in Arbroath have rejected as impracticable "pool " proposals made by Mr. J. Henderson Stiwart, Joint Scottish Under-Secretary. Some of the larger wholesalers who send fish to Liverpool and Manchester have, however, already acted on the suggestion.
A co-ordinating committee has been Set up by Coventry Chamber of Commerce. The committee are appealing to all users of private hauliers, British Road Services and the railways to let their transport provider know their likely needs over the next few weeks
RATIONING AND EMPLOYMENT IT is understood that the effect of fuel i rationing on employment will be raised by the unions when the Road Haulage Wages Council consider on January 15 the claim for higher wages (The Commercial Motor, December 7.).