Silver Roadways Appeal : Extra 15 Vehicles Sought
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A N appeal by Silver Roadways, Ltd.,
Dock Road, London, E.16, against the refusal of the Metropolitan Deputy Licensing Authority to add 15 vehicles, each of 71 tons unladen. to their A licence, was heard by the Transport Tribunal in London on Tuesday. The Tribunal reserved judgment until Wednesday afternoon.
Mr. D. Karmel, Q.C., for the appellants, said that the case was that of an industrial family group with Silver Roadways the " grandchild " of Tate and Lyle, Ltd., the appellants' principal customers. The appeal raised the familiar question of whether a prima facie case was made Outs to the Authority.
With the derationing of sugar and an increase in the transport of pre-packed sugar, Tate and Lyle wanted more vehicles under their control. Silver Roadways were incorporated in October, 1953. They acquired 19 eightwheelers in May, 1954, but a heavy percentage of Tate and Lyle's goods was carried by sub-contractors.
Sugar Damaged Tate and Lyle put great reliance on their delivery service, and the use of hired vehicles incurred more damage to sugar than when vehicles under the control of Silver Roadways were employed. Mr. Kartnel contended that there were not enough suitable vehicles for hire. Their timing was erratic.
Between July, 1954, and February, 1955, the company's own vehicles earned £91,439, and the figure rose to £121,619 in the corresponding period of the following year. Comparable figures for sub-contracted vehicles were £578,804 and £625,209 respectively.
Silver Roadways sub-contracted to the extent of 81 per cent., which was excessive judged by the most strinOnt standards laid down by the Tribunal.
There had been no objection by sub-contractors to Silver R-oadways' application, and if the appeal were allowed the appellants would still hire • vehicles to a large extent. An addiOmni 15 vehicles would reduce hiring by 17 per cent.
• Only One Customer's Evidence Mr. C. R. Beddington, for the respondents, the British Transport Commission, said that the only evidence put before the Authority was about Tate. and Lyle's traffic. It formed a large proportion of the traffic carried by Silver Roadways, but was by MI means the only traffic.
He submitted that the Authority was justified in making the criticism that there was no evidence of need outside the Tate and Lyle group. It could not be seen from the evidence .or from the figures how much of the traffic carried by Silver Roadways' own vehicles was Tate and Lyles traffic. There was no evidence to show any shortage of vehicles.
It was absurd of Mr. Kane]' to say that Silver Roadways were forced to hire to an unreasonable extent. Hiring had operated long before the company was formed. Figures by themselves were not enough to justify the grant of a licence. The evidence of inconvenience was so slight that it must be disregarded.
RAIL TONNAGES REVEALED WHEN Messrs. Westhead Bros., scrap VI' metal dealers, Liverpool, sought a B. licence for three vehicles, currently under C licence, on Tuesday, figures of the railways' movement of scrap metal from Liverpool were submitted to Mr. L. H. Shelton, Eastern Deputy Licensing Authority, deputizing for the North Western Licensing Authority.
Mr. J. Westhead said' that his late father had a horsed-transport business before the war. In 1955 the two brothers entered the scrap-metal trade and now carried steel to John Summers' ironworks at Shotton, and cast iron to Allied Foundries, Ltd., Ketley.
A B licence would enable return loads to be taken. It was required to carry general goods and steel within 25 miles of base. There was evidence of need by companies in Bootle.
Mr. R. A. Webb, • for the British Transport Commission, said that in 1955, 137,957 tons of scrap metal was carried by rail from Liverpool and in 1956, 133,237 tons. Extra traffic could be taken. The B.T.C. objected mainly to the carriage by the applicants of scrap metal..
Mr. Shelton granteil a licence for the carriage of scrap metal and packing cases within 16 miles, with the exception of return loads from Jahn Summers: VAUXHALL TOP APPOINTMENTS
To strengthen the sties team of Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., it was announced on Wednesday, Mr. R. L. Ehrlich, formerly -assistant general sales manager, has been appointed general sales manager. Mr. G. E. Moore, domestic sales manager, and Mr.
C. G. Tipper, export sales manager, will be allowed more time for sales promotion.
Mr. C. S. Soar has been appointed Luton factory manager, and Mr. A. Woolnough, Dunstable factory manager.
R.H.(61) ISSUED
HAULIERS have .until April 2 to make representations to the Road Haulage Wages Council against the new, proposed increases in wages (The Commercial Motor, March 1). R.H.(61), in which the proposals are set out. Was issued on Tuesday.
As The Commercial Motor forecast on March 8. many objections are expected.
Employers Considering Busmen's Pay Claims
AT a meeting of the National Council for the Omnibus Industry in London on Tuesday, the unions presented to the employers' side claims for substantial increases in pay and suggested alterations and improvements in working conditions. The meeting was adjourned to permit the employers to examine the proposals.
Mr. H. Pritchard, a member of the workers' side, is understood to have told the N.C.O.I. of the dissatisfaction of employees of the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd.; with the difference between their pay and that of London bus workers.
A meeting of more than . 200 B.M.M.O. workers from, garages in the Black Country on Sunday endorsed the action of men from the company's Birmingham garages last week in protesting about the pay gap (The Commercial Motor last week). Mr.
Pritchard attended the meeting. '
After Sunday's meeting, Aid. A. M. Silcox, a district organizer of the Transport and General Workers' Union, said the men supported the Union in their attempt to secure a higher basic rate, particularly as overtime pay had been reduced as a result of cuts in services brought about by fuel rationing.
CONTINENTAL SIGNS WANTED
WHEN Lord Somers moved to annul the Traffic Signs Regulations, 1947, in the House of Lords on Tuesday, he said that he would like to see Continental traffic signs in use in Britain.
. Lord lvlancroft, for the Government, admitted that British direction signs were not as good as Continental, but signs generally were being improved. The Continental system was not wholly suitable for Britain and would cost nearly 115m.
The motion was withdrawn.
END OF Z/F/5A
THE Ministry of Transport announced on Tuesday that Regional Transport 'Commissioners would no longer call for the production of vehicle records or Form Z/F/5A. In individual cases they might, however, continue to-ask for such information (including the production of drivers' records) if thought necessary to sup
port applications for fuel rations.
END OF RATIONING IN the House of Lords on Tuesday Lord Mills, Minister of Power, gave an assurance that fuel rationing would be ended in one step aS soon as possible. He preferred that course to a further increase in the value of coupons.
.DARTFORD TUNNEL STARTED
yESTERDAY work started officially on the Dartford-Purfleet tunnel, to cost £10rn.