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Opinions and Queries

25th March 1955, Page 36
25th March 1955
Page 36
Page 37
Page 36, 25th March 1955 — Opinions and Queries
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Don't Relax Bus Inspection

IN The Commercial Motor of March 11, under the heading, "Pound Foolish," it is claimed, in so many words, that bus companies who have in their fleets old vehicles which are unlikely to be recertified are apt to lose interest in the maintenance of these, pending the arrival of new ones.

This is indeed true and much more could he said on this subject.

A more trusting view, however, is taken by the Committee of Inquiry into London Transport, under Mr. S. P. Chambers, who made the following extraordinary statement:—

" Maintenance costs are increased materially by the unduly meticulous inspections by certifying officers and vehicle examiners of the Ministry of Transport."

e The committee then went on to suggest that the L.T.E., and other "very responsible" operators, should. in effect, be exempt from complying with that part of the 1930 Traffic Act appertaining to the inspection and certification of passenger vehicles.

So far as ordinary busmen, such as myself, are concerned, I am sure that few of us are so naive as to believe that these big operators would keep up even their present standards of maintenance if it were not for examination and certification.

As one who has worked in very varying types of company, 1 know the panic that can be caused, even in big concerns, by the arrival at short notice of a public carriage officer.

I think that many of my colleagues will agree with me that certain operators sail as close to the wind as possible in respect of maintenance, and it would be unthinkable to relax the standards which are imposed on them by the 1930 Act. London, W.13. . E. L. COOKE.

Contact Points Burn Out in a Fortnight

IN my Commer 1950 G type, the ignition contact points I burn out, in about a fortnight. Not finding any cause for this trouble, I put the matter in the hands of the local agents, also Lucas have tested everything, but always with the same result—the points continue to burn. I have attended service weeks at the agents and approached many skilled people in the trade, yet all I get is a shrug of the shoulders—never a downright answer on how to cure the trouble. Everything in the distributor has been renewed, also the ignition wiring and sparking plugs, but with no better result,

am wondering whether some of your readers have experienced the same difficulty and have been able to overcome it.

Newcastle upon Tyne. N. BREW1S.

Why No Severn Bridge ?

THERE must be many commercial operators who share my amazement concerning the absence of orders for commencing the Severn Bridge. Various reasons have been advanced for the omission from the recently announced extended road programme; these range from the cost to the effect of wind pressure and the possibility of an alternative route under the river!

BIO

Over 30 years ago the demand for the bridge was pursued by the Chepstow District Council. A meeting of all highway and local authorities in the area was convened, a Joint Severn Bridge Committee set up and consulting engineers engaged to prepare a scheme. In 1945 the Minister of Transport proposed to take over the scheme As a Government project under the Trunk Road Act, and in 1946 a public inquiry was held at Bristol. The Minister's Order was confirmed in 1947.

It was stated over a year ago that surveys and working drawings of the proposed bridge were in an advanced stage. Thus we find this "shelved" project more ready for development than some schemes which have received the " go ahead."

Certainly, the proposed bridge would be the largest of its type in Europe, and a large quantity of steel would be required. With a central span of over 3,200 ft. because short spans would be a navigational difficulty, the suspension bridge is considered to be more economical, provided anchorage for cables can be reasonably arranged. The engineers responsible for the project have had tests made at the National Physical Laboratory to determine the most suitable shape of deck structure for stability. Following these, the present cross-section of the bridge was decided upon, and it is believed that the result will be complete stability in all anticipated conditions of wind pressure.

From what is known of the project, it would seem that all is ready and only a Minister's decision is required. This seems unlikely for the moment, but we road transport men must continue to bring pressure to bear upon this matter. The great industrial development in South Wales recently is a fine thing, but it must not be thwarted by lack of adequate communication with London and the South. Let us hope that the Severn Bridge will be a definite project before many more years have passed.

Southend-on-Sea. G. H. WAGSTAFF.

Thanks for the Memory

HAVING read, advertised in, and in general, known, The Commercial Motor for over 30 years, I offer you my sincere congratulations on the occasion of your Golden Jubilee.

To complete 50 years of publication is something for which you must be very proud, and justifiably so. I wish you continued success in the years to come, as I am sure you will have. London, N.17. . V. G. E. GARDNER. Publicity Manager, Benjamin Electric Ltd.

Commer Oiler on Furniture Removal

WE were particularly pleased to see a picture of our " new Commer oil-engined pantechnicon in your issue of February 25. , Many of our friends have mentioned it to Ds, which is not surprising considering the interest the van has aroused in this district.

We have had this Commer only since the beginning of 1955 and it has just completed about 6,000 miles in our service, carrying valuable period and antique furniture. We find that it is the most smooth-running type we have ever owned, much more so than we imagined any oiler could possibly be, and here we should tell you that (his is the first vehicle with an oil ertgine which we have owned. We have two drivers on this job; they are both most enthusiastic and satisfied with having to drive and service such a good vehicle. Our costs and fuel-consumption returns have been made up to the end of February, arid we find that during the very bad wintry weather Which we have had, the fuel return has never been less than 21 m.p.g., and one week it was as high as 25 m.p.g. In our opinion this Commer is ideal for furniture-removal.

We have been regular readers of your journal for about 30 years, and look forward to its publication and contents each Friday.

Scarborough. J. R. TILBURN AND SON.


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