Ford..to Spend £65m.
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QVER five years the Ford Motor Co., Ltd., are to spend £65m. on increasing their productive capacity but, as Sir Patrick Hennessy, deputy chairman and managing director, said on Monday, the nigger in the "road pile" was the roads.
Inside the factory all was order, but outside was chaos. Goods took twice as long to deliver as they should and the on-cost was tremendous, for many materials and goods had to be transported several times.
The programme includes machine shops at Basildon New Town, a spareparts depot at Aveley and machine shops at Woolwich Arsenal covering 170,000 sq. ft. Current production averages 1,300 units a day, but the demand greatly exceeds the supply, consequently the floor space will be increased by some 4m. sq. ft. There will be a new foundry and press shop, more coke ovens and gas, and all will be financed from the company's own resources.
The present staff of 41,000 will probably be increased to at least 50,000. The expansion of output will involve a corresponding increase in the production of commercial vehicles and tractors.
• SEVEN-YEAR SEVERN BRIDGE PLAN
ASEVEN-YEAR plan for the erection of the Severn Bridge, delayed at present by the restriction on capital investment, was decided at a meeting at Cardiff last week of local authorities and public and industrial interests on both sides of the river. The Minister of Transport, the Chancellor of the Exchequer or the Minister for Welsh Affairs will be asked to receive a deputation.
The total cost of the present plans for the bridge and a new road system is £40m. The new plan would cost £14.1m., a saving of £25.9m.
It is suggested that the cost of the bridge, and another over the Wye, estimated at £10m., might be paid for by tolls.
NEW BY-LAW ON MUD?
ARECOMMENDATION that West Riding County Council should make a by-law stipulating that vehicles may not be brought on to the highway unless mud, or similar material, has been removed from them, has been made by the taw and Parliamentary committee. Complaints have been made about the nuisance caused by mud dropping from vehicles. Fines of up to £5 are suggested.
NEW PYE RADIO
A NEW vehicle radio set has been atkluced by Pye Telecomniunications, Ltd., and depots are being set up in various towns at which installations may be made. Inclusive cost, covering set, aerial arid fitting,is £28; the radio equipment itself costs £2L