Ferry link vigorously opposed
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iN application by Granville Tours Ltd., of Grimsby, seeking to operate an express coach service from Immingham Dock ferry terminal to London and Birmingham, was vigorously opposed at Lincoln last week. Although the evidence from Granville and the' objectors was completed, a further hearing will be necessary, probably at Nottingham, at which final addresses by advocates will be made. In the meantime, the parties are to discuss the issues further in the hope that some agreement may be possible.
Objectors were British Railways, Lincolnshire Road Car Co. Ltd., Grimsby and Cleethorpes Joint Transport Committee and Barton Transport Ltd.
Mr. C. A. Hinton, managing director of East Coast Terminals and Storage Ltd., said his company was the UK agent for TOR lines, a shipping consortium. TOR was shortly introducing two "liner type" roll-on/ roll-off ships to operate between Gothenburg and Amsterdam and Immingham.
Mr. Hinton said that road services from Immingham were almost non-existent and rail services were inadequate. It was essential that first-class accommodation should be provided for TOR line passengers direct to London and Birmingham.
Granville had offered to provide 14or 18seater coaches if the numbers of passengers, at first, was small. The coaches would be paid for at agreed rates regardless of the number travelling.
Cross-examined by Mr. Whitby, for the objectors, Mr. Hinton agreed that advance bookings would hardly justify a small bus in some cases. He also agreed that negotiations for a linking service to Grimsby had been initiated in 1964 with Lincolnshire Road Car Co.
Mr. R. H. Alefounder, licensing assistant of Barton Transport, said his company was most concerned to protect its continental tours interest from the Nottingham area. It did not object to passengers brought in from Immingham being picked up at Nottingham but did not want TOR lines or anyone else to establish themselves as continental tour operators from their catchment area.