Must Produce Figures, Haulier Told
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STRONG opposition from British Railways faced an application by Ramsden's Haulage (Contractors), Ltd., at Preston last Friday. They asked for six vehicles on a B licence, to enable them to carry, amongst other things, solid fuel. The application had earlier been partheard.
Mr. W. Lathom, managing director of Ramsden's, said that they had three A-licence vehicles, which were fully occupied. He was unable to produce figures in respect of these units, he told Mr. G. H. P. Beames, for British Railways.
In addition to carrying fuel, Ramsden's wanted to transport lime and limestone. Mr. G. E. Baggeley, coal contractor, said that he supplied fuel to market gardeners and nurseries on the Fylde coast. At present he had to use his own vehicles to carry coal but would prefer Ramsden's if they were available.
Two railway representatives gave details of the fuel-carrying facilities and
the number of empty wagons. For the past two winters there had been a shortage of wagons, but this difficulty had been overcome by using B.R.S. tippers.
In submission, Mr. Beames stated that before any grant for B vehicles could be made, fun details must be produced of the operations of the A licence fleet. The railways had difficulty in carrying coal in mid-winter, but this had been overcome. There might be grounds for a very limited grant, but the application was on an ambitious scale.
The North Western Licensing Authority, Mr. F. Williamson, said that figures should have been produced to show that the A fleet was fully employed. He granted two B-licensed vehicles with the conditions "lime for Withers Limestone, Ltd., within 30 miles of base and solid fuel for Mr. G. E. Baggelcy for the use of horticulturists within 15 miles of base," saying that, if necessary, shortterm licences might be applied for during the winter for the carriage of coal.