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Southdown Apply for Hovercraft Services

2nd March 1962, Page 53
2nd March 1962
Page 53
Page 53, 2nd March 1962 — Southdown Apply for Hovercraft Services
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THE possibility of fast-moving Hovercraft services is envisaged by Southdown Motor Services, Ltd., as an alternative to their existing network of bus and coach services alang the south coast. After investigating the present stage of development of this new form of transport the Southdown company has already submitted applications to the Air Transport Licensing Board for coastwise Hovercraft services when the necessary operational craft become available. The main application would be in a regular service along the south coast, calling at the main intermediate points such as Eastbourne, Brighton, Worthing, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth.

Although Hovercraft arc not as yet being employed for passenger traffic on a commercial basis, Southdown feel the time is not far ahead when large-capacity passenger craft, capable of speeds up to 80 m.p.h. or more, will be able to ply along the coastline. They foresee that Brighton to Worthing might take some 10 minutes, Brighton to Eastbourne some 20 minutes and a direct Brighton-Isle of Wight journey in perhaps 40 minutes.

Fares, they remark, must depend upon the operational cost of Hovercraft once the present prototypes are passed into general production. Clearly the provision of such services lies in the future but in putting their applications forward Southdown say they are merely anticipating the public demand which will arise when this type of craft is available for use on a commercial basis.

PIPELINES BILL PUBLISHED.

THE Government's pipeline Bill, read in the Lords this week and published on Wednesday, seeks to give the Minister of Power means of controlling crosscountry pipeline development, establishing procedure for objections to be heard locally, and regulating construction and use in the interests of safety. It will enable a pipeline developer to obtain land and •rights .of way compulsorily without need for a private Bill, and will establish that pipelines in England and Wales are rateable. The Minister's authorization will be needed for pipelines more than 10 miles long; applicants will have to notify all local planning authorities; public inquiries will follow any planning objections.

Excluded • are air, water, steam and sewerage pipes, also those of statutory bodies and specifically railway, dock, mine or factory pipelines.

BEDFORD WARRANTY EXTENDED WITH effect from yesterday, March 1, VY the warranty on all new Bedford trucks and vans and Vauxhall cars has been extended from six months to 12 months or 12.000 miles, whichever occurs first. The company's present policy of covering labour and parts' cost will continue, as will the encouragement of dealers to interpret warranties liberally. The new warranty will cover vehicles sold during the past 12 months.


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