Automatic Change Speed on Municipal Buses.
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We recently published a paragraph pointing out that a certain municipal corporation had decided to dispense with the automatic change-speed device fitted to some of its buses.
We have since made further inquiries and find that this was not due to any fundamental fault in the design or construction of the device in question, Incidentally, it is not, as had been thought by some people, a fluid clutch or epicyclic gearbox.
A New Kentish Highway.
Kent County Council has considered the route of a proposed spur road to connect the London-Folkestone road, near White Oak School, west of Swanley Junction, with a proposed new road at Green Court. Dartford Rural District Council has been asked to include in its town-planning proposals the portion of the proposed new road from West Wickham to Wested, and the spur road from Green Court to the LondonFolkestone road..
Restricting Traffic on Bridges.
Hunts County Council has been informed by the Ministry of Transport that it was hoped shortly to bring into force section 25 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930. The council has, therefore, suggested to Isle of Ely County Council that, as that section contained the obvious authority for restricting traffic on bridges, the proposed action relating to Earith Bridge should stand over for the present.
A joint application with Hunts County Council is to be made to the Ministry of Transport when the relevant section of the Road Traffic Act becomes operative.
Shifting Municipal Expense.
The annual report of Manchester Corporation's paving committee states that the abandonment of tramways tracks by the transport committee will throw additional expenditure on the paving. committee, both for the initial reconstruction of roadways and for future maintenance.
During the past year, the track in City Road, Hulme, has been removed and the area of the track paved with new granite setts on a concrete foundation. The transport department pays only such a sum as represents the cost of putting the road into its original condition.
Cardiff's Transport: Financial Soundness.
Members of the Cardiff Tramways Committee described as indicating "a very satisfactory position," the financial. result of the working of Cardiff Corporation's buses in the first half of the year 1932-33 (to September 30 last), reported by Mr. William Forbes, the general manager.
The income of the buses in this period was £93,544, equivalent to 11.45d. per bus-mile, and expenses amounted to £79,885, leaving as gross profit £13,659, which, when interest and sinking-fund charges had been paid, left a net profit of £695 for the half year. After wiping out £55,000 in respect of loans, there remains £76,245 net outstanding capital on the buses.
Mr. Forbes emphasized that more B24 than 50 per cent.• of the corporatioia 8tock was practically new and that all obsolete rolling stock had been written off and the balance-sheet was thus in a healthy state.
The assets of the bus and tram departments are placed at £1,500,000, which, at the present rate of repayment, would be absolutely free in 10 years, notwithstanding £24)0,000 having been taken from the department's profits for the relief of rates.
South Shields Transport Losses.
South Shields Corporation's accounts for the year ended March 31 last show a deficit of £499 on the tramcars, and one of £750 on the buses, making a total loss on the undertaking of 11,249. The total deficit is to be debited to the reserve fund.
More Dennis Fire-engines for the London Brigade.
Dennis Brothers, Ltd., Guildford, has received from the London County Council an order for 23 Dennis 80 h.p. fireengines for the London Fire Brigade. When these machines are delivered the number of this make supplied to this brigade will be 202.
Motors in Municipal Cleansing.
• We regret that an unfortunate error occurred in the penultimate paragraph of our article entitled "Motors Save Money in Municipal Cleansing." Referring to self collection machines, the last two lines should have read " £2 5s. 9d., which is 3s. 0.6d. per mile." The latter amount appeared as £3 Os. Gd. per mile.