B.R.S. Too Dear : Private Haulier Backed
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ATES charged by British Railways for the carriage of dangerous chemicals were "fantastic," whilst British Road Services also proved far dearer than a private haulier, the Yorkshire Licensing Authority, Maj. F. S. Eastwood, was told last week. He was hearing evidence by a representative of Smarts Shipping and Forwarding Agents, Hull, in support of an application by Dunling's Haulage, Ltd., Hull, for the addition of two articulated outfits to their A licence.
Mr. R. E. Paterson, for the applicants, said they had four vehicles on A licence. Business was increasing and they were unable to satisfy the needs of many new customers. Hiring had cost more than £12,.000 between November, 1956, and June, 1957, nearly 0,000 more than their own vehicles' earnings.
Questioned by Mr. T. B. Atkinson, for the objectors, the British Transport Commission, Mr. W. M. Dunling agreed that in June, 1956, two special-A-licence vehicles of the then fleet of five were transferred to his brother, and the business was split. In November he applied for two additional A vehicles and was granted one (The Commercial Motor, November 9, 1956). The hiring figures then included work by his brother's vehicles, which were still operating from the same base, but under a different name. These vehicles were removed in December and had not been hired since.
A B.R.S. witness said they had 84 general haulage vehicles based at Hull, with regular trunk services to Birmingham and Liverpool. Due to lack of traffic four vehicles were taken off the road as recently as June 29. They could cope with any of the work described if given 24 hours' notice.
Decision was reserved.
6,000-GAL. REFUELLER FOR GIANT JETS
ONE of the largest refuelling vehicles in the world has been put into service at Prestwick Airport, Scotland, by the Esso Petroleum Co., Ltd. It is an articulated outfit, built by the Steel Barrel Co., Ltd., of Uxbridge,. with a Foden tractor unit having a sixcylindered two-stroke oil engine.
Known as the Super Pluto, it is the first of two prototype 6,000-gal, multicorripartment refuellers capable of highspeed servicing of the largest types of jet transport aircraft in service today. It dispenses 700 gal. per minute through twin hoses.
Despite its size, the refueller has been built to comply with the Road Traffic Act in regard to overall length and width. It can, therefore, proceed without special permit on the public highway provided it is not laden with kerosene in excess of the permitted 24 tons gross vehicle weight.
The refuellers are designed to cater for both oyerwing servicing and for underwing pressure refuelling.