Monopoly in Northern Ireland
Page 31
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AN interesting statement on the Road and Railway Transport Act (Northern Ireland), 1935, by Mr. D. L. Clarke, 0.B.E., chairman of the Northern Ireland Road Transport Board, has just been issued, and can he obtained from the offices of the Board, Queen's Buildings, 10, Royal Avenue, Belfast.
It points out that this legislation was undertaken by the Government because of the chaotic position into which the transport industry had drifted as a result of the increase in road transport for both passengers and goods, and the reactions thereof upon the railway systems. Matters had so drifted that the Government came to the conclusion that unless there was a complete reorganization of the industry on entirely different lines, transport services undoubtedly would be greatly impaired.
The plan is based upon the recommendations contained in the report of .Sir Felix Pole. It states that it is not the object of the Act to force traffic
back to the railways, or to bolster them up in cases where, owing to changed conditions, they are obsolete, but to provide the best transport system, The Board will be responsible not only for the operation of road transport, but it will exercise a real influence over railway policy through its nominees on the joint committee, one of the first duties of which will be to survey the railway position in Northern Ireland, with a view to the elimination of services which have ceased to serve a useful purpose. The railways will, however, remain independent organizations.
The Board is, of course, proceeding with the acquisition of all road passenger and goods undertakings, with certain exceptions, the principal being the transport undertakings of the Belfast Corporation, the passenger and freight road services of the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway and the carriers operating in Belfast and Londonderry.