0 licence benefits revealed in LAs' annual reports
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• A marked improvement in the mechanical condition of heavy goods vehicles is commented on in the Annual Reports of the Licensing Authorities to the Secretary of State for the Environment covering the period October 1969—September 1970. This improvement in the condition of goods vehicles over 3.5 tons unladen weight is attributed to the Department's plating and testing scheme and to the stiffer safety requirements of operator's licensing.
The reports, published on Wednesday, cover a year of considerable change for the road haulage industry. The transition from carriers' to operators' licensing was taking place; new rules on drivers' hours and records were implemented; and heavy goods vehicle driver licensing came into force. Although the workload with which the Licensing Authorities had to contend was quite exceptional, the reports indicate that the changeover from carriers' to operators' licensing progressed smoothly. Only 12 objections to applications for 0 licences were received.
Much enforcement effort during the year was spent on advising operators and drivers on new legislation, with the result that, in some Areas, there was a drop in the number of prosecutions.
Copies of the combined reports can be obtained free of charge from the Department of the Environment, Road Transport (Goods) Division, Room 9 /19, St Christopher House, Southwark Street, London SE!. A stamped (7p first class, 5+p second class) self-addressed envelope, measuring not less than 14in. by 9in. should accompany each application.