Low Fell threat
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TYNE AND WEAR County Council to get the controversial Low F banned.
Council members are expected to back a recommendation from its officers for the withdrawal of the Traffic Commissioners' road service licence for\ the operation of a cross-Tyne service between South Gateshead and central Newcastle.
The Northern Traffic Commissioners granted Low Fell Coaches the licence last year (CM July 24, 1982) on a 12month experimental basis after the firm claimed passengers did not like the new integrated bus and Metro service between Gateshead and Newcastle. This was upheld when Tyne and Wear appealed to former Transport Secretary David Howell, seeking revocation of the licence.
Since the introduction of the £280m Metro system, passengers travelling into Newcastle from Gateshead have to disembark from buses at Gateshead and board a Metro for the final is mounting a renewed campaign ell Coaches private bus service stage of the journey across the river.
Low Fell Coaches, based at Winlaton Mill, near Gateshead, are now fighting to keep the licence after the July 26 deadline. Managing director Bob Tindall said: "I am determined to fight for a full five-year licence.
"The result of the year's experiment has shown the passeng ers want our service and the law is now fully behind the small operator," he said.
Meanwhile Tyne and Wear County Council is expected to join forces with the Tyne and Wear PTE, Northern General Transport, United Automobile Services and OK Motor Services, who are all objecting to the renewal application.
A spokesman for the TVVPTE added that the authority was also objecting because "it was against any privatisation of bus services".