Licence Test Case Soon
Page 9
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
MOVEMBF.R 6 is the date set for the 11 hearing of the R.H.A.sponsored appeal. by. Mr. K. P,,Venables, an Enfield haulier, against a convictiOn on July 18 at a Bristol magistrates court. Mr. Venahles was fined IO gns. and had his own driving licence endorsed for causing a vehicle to be on the road without an efficient braking system. The charge arose out of an accident in which one of Mr. Veriables' lorries was involved,and his driver also was fined and suffered licence endorsement.
. The appeal will be heard at Gloucester Quarter Sessions, at the Shire Hall, Gloucester.
Mr Richard Yorke, well-known transport barrister, has been retained by the Road Haulage Association.
Smaller Solid Tyres? THE Minister of Transport has asked
interested bodies for comMents (by not later than December 16) on a proposed amendment to the Construction and Use Regulations which would permit solid tyres of smaller diameter on electrically propelled delivery velictes...
Except for certain exemptions,Regulation 13 (1955) sets a ria:niminn. rim diameter of 670 mm, for wheels equipped with solid tyres; it has been represented to the Minister that this is unduly restrictive in the light of modern, solid-tyre materials and he is therefore proposing a further exemption which would permit smaller diameter solid tyres on electrically propelled delivery vehicles not exceeding I son imladen, fitted with road springs and limited to 20 m.p.h.
E.E.C. Transport Explained
A SUMMARY of the present transport 1-t situation in the European Economic Community. its effects upon Britain, and the views on transport expressed by the E.E.C. Council of Ministers are among the subjects covered in "European Economic Community—Transport ", a booklet published by the Federation of British Industries, 21 -Tothill Street, London. SW. I, price 10s.
()NIA three makers, of battery-electric %.-/ vehicles are taking part in the Royal Dairy Show which opened at Olympia on Tuesday and closes today. The stands of allthree concerns—Austin Crompton ' Parkinson Electric Vehicles Ltd., Smith's Delivery Vehicles Ltd. and Wales and
Edwards Ltd. a good .deal of interest • for .operators concerned with retail milk distribution.
The principal exhibit by Austin Crompton Parkinson is a DI 20-cwt. vehicle _fitted with the concern's recently introduced Powermiser electronic controller. A working unit is also featured to demonstrate the operation. But of at least equal interest is. the prototype'of a new design of milk vehicle. This is the Gunner and is a tour wheeler with' the cab extended to provide storage and display for dry goods. Access to the driving position is through a central door at the rear, between the storage section. One novel feature is that the roof is cantilevered from the cab and another is that the load platform is hinged so that it can be raised to provide access to units
for maintenance. A charge, in the mechanical, layout is that the drive motor is mounted behind the rear axle.
A new model shown' by Wales and Edwards is the W. and E. Major, a 30cwt.-capacity three wheeler with a load deck big enough to take 30 crates of milk. The mechanical units are interchangeable with the other models in the W. and E. range—the Standard,Rangernaster and so 6n---but the chain drive from the motor to the rear axle is totally' enclosed. With standard 80V. batteries, the maximum speed is 16 m.p.h. and the range from 35 to 45 miles.
The range of battery-electric vehicles made by Smith's. Delivery Vehicles is exhibited by the company. These are the 555 (25 cwt.), S65 (20 cwt.-) and S75 (30 cwt.).. Two S55 models are featured— one with a conventional controller, the other with Smith's Sevcon electronic controller. These alternative forms of control are available also on the other two models. Also shown by Smith's is a Bedford CA ice-cream-vending vehicle. An ice-cream van--on a Bedford#CA also—is one. of the two exhibits of M.T.S. Co. (Coachbuilders) Ltd. The other is a four-wheel, close-coupled trailer with an ice-Cream sales body.