More Picking Up Points Sought by Rival Excursion Operators
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SHOULD excursion operators be allowed to go round country districts picking up their passengers, or should people have to make their own way to the main centres to join coaches? This question was again debated before the North Western Traffic Commissioners, last week, at the continued hearing of applications by James Lamb Tours, Ltd., Upholland, and Holmeswood Coaches, Ltd., Ormsk irk (The Commercial Motor, June 20).
The two companies were seeking picking-up points in Wigan and Skelmersdale. Mr. W. B. Gregson, managing director of Lamb's Tours, said three of the proposed points—Appley Bridge, Eliners Green and Dalton Church—were for the convenience of passengers who now had either to walk a considerable distance to the nearest point or use stage carriage or rail services into Wigan.
• Objections Withdrawn Figures for private party work in the Parbold and Newburgh areas justified these points being regarded as in Lamb's catchment area. Mr. Gregson added that objections by Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., and T. Unsworth and Sons (Wigan), Ltd., had been withdrawn after an agreement that Lamb's would not apply to go nearer to Wigan than Appley Bridge, and would not object to a forthcoming application by Unsworth's for additional points.
Mr. H. Backhouse, objecting for Holmeswood, submitted that if all the points were granted the picking-up route could extend to 10 miles. If this sort of thing were allowed it would-lead to applications for points in every hamlet. Another complication was that the fare scale for Wigan was lower than that for • Skelmersdale, so Lamb's would have an advantage over their competitors.
He pointed out that Holmeswood were not objecting to Appley Bridge, but they thought Parbold and Newburgh must abstract passengers at present travelling to Burscough to join Holmeswood services.
Three-year Lapse
British Railways objected only to Appley Bridge. On their behalf, Mr. A. J. F. Wrottesley recalled that a similar application was refused three years ago. and there was no evidence of any change in circumstances. Regular rail and stage .services ran to Wigan, and any loss of traffic on services which were already poorly supported would have serious repercussions.
Mr. Whitehead replied that Lamb's and Holmeswood both had their own claims which were not disputed. Some form of agreement. such as giving Par bold to Holmeswood and Newburgh to Lamb's, might meet the situation.
Mr. F. Williamson, chairman, said decision would be reserved until the suitability of the various points had been determined by inspection.