News of Municipal Activities
Page 33
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Central Transport Department for Brighton.
The general purposes committee of Brighton Corporation has considered further the advisability of asking the council to review the question of setting up a transport centre for the whole of the motor vehicles owned by the corporation. In June last the couneil approved a recommendation to take steps to bring under one control the purchase of vehicles, tyres, etc., repairs and maintenance, garaging and the issue of motor vehicles as required by each department.
The committee has decided to expend a sum not exceeding 50 guineas `in obtaining expert advice with regard to the establishment of a central garage and workshops, the approximate cost of the necessary buildings and plant, the personnel, and the selection of a suitable site and other relevant matters.
Professional Fire Brigade for Newport?
Newport (Mon.) Town Council proposes to establish a whole-time fire brigade, to replace the present voluntary brigade, and additional fire-fighting equipment will be required.
New P.O. Garage at Chester?
The transport committee of Chester Corporation proposes to sell land near the transport depot to H.M. Office of Works for the purpose of erecting a garage for Post Office vehicles.
Merits of Vehicle-actuated Traffic Signals.
Reporting on traffic signals, the works committee of :Vfarylebone Borough Council states that the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee has come to the conclusion that the period of operation should be uniform and, in certain circumstances, continuous throughout the 24 hours.
Generally speaking, continuous operation of signals is recommended only if the signals be vehicle-actuated. Signals operated on the fixed-time basis hold up traffic, although there may be no cross traffic. An analysis of the records taken at the Gracechurch Street and Bishopsgate crossing, in London, demonstrates that there is a saving by vehicle-actuated, as compared with fixed-time, apparatus, of about £3,700 per annum on vehicle-hours, a vehicle
hour being valued at the sum of 5s.
The emphasis placed upon the ability of the vehicle-actuated signals to adapt themselves to the varying volumes of traffic is supported by records obtained by the Ministryof Transport, which show that even in streets with fairly dense traffic there is a wide diversity in volume from minute to minute.
It appears that during the three months ended October last 30 installations of the vehicle-actuated type were brought into 'operation in the London Traffic Area, as compared with eight fixed-time signals. Increased Haulage Costs Under New Act.
The British Quarrying Co., Ltd., which holds the contract for the supply of road materials to .Bexhill Corporation until March 31 next, has asked the council to share the extra costs which the company has to incur under the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933.
The highways committee recommends an increase of 7id. per ton in the contract price, which is half the estimated additional charges falling upon the company.