Operator's "Come-back" Resisted

21st September 1956, Page 92

21st September 1956

Page 92

Page 92, 21st September 1956 — Operator's "Come-back" Resisted

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A N attempt by a small coach com pany to reopen excursion and tour operations from an area in which they sold out to Ribble Motor Services. Ltd., and Crosville Motor Services, Ltd., more than 20 years ago, was opposed by these concerns before the North Western Licensing Authority, at Liverpool, last week. Pearsons of Liverpool, Ltd. (Sunniway Coaches), were applying for a new originating point at Shaw Street, Liverpool; to make the present point at Bevington Hill into a picking-up point; to add a picking-up point at Paradise Street, Liverpool; and to increase their vehicle allowance from one to two on any day, and from one to four at holidays and during July and August. There were also objections from British Railways, G. Peascod, Ltd., and James Motor Garage. Mr. H. Backhouse, for the applicants, said Shaw Street was the operating point of a Pearson licence in 1935. The business was sold to Ribble and Crosvillc, with a protection clause. at Shaw Street. for a period of 10 years. In 1946, they re-established their booking office and headquarters there, and carried private parties. In 1955, the Macadam licence at Bevington Hill was purchased. Half the passengers now booked on the licence were from Shaw Street and they were seeking to return. The Liverpool population had outgrown the facilities provided, and it was considered that a 100 per cent, increase of vehicles was necessary at ordinary times, and double that during holidays. Iv1r. C. Buckley, for Crosville, said Shaw Street was vital to their excursion traffic for linking with Edge Lane and St. John's Lane. There was little

th traffic before e war, and it had developed slowly since.

For Ribble, Mr. G. Dawes said their excursions and touts were run to the full extent of public. demand. . They were profitable, and were offset against unremunerative services. Without them the position would be impossible.

Mr. W. Blackhurst, for Ribble and

Crosville, said the proposed new point at Paradise Street was on the site of Liverpool Corporation's planned new bus station, and Pearsons were trying to stake a claim. The grant of the application must lake traffic from his clients. Ribble had used only a third of their vehicle allowance of 42 in 1955, said Mr. Backhouse. They were sitting on a surplus which was a menace to other operators. In the same period Crosvine had never offered more than three excursions with their allowance. The hearing was adjourned.