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Opinions and Queries

2nd May 1958, Page 93
2nd May 1958
Page 93
Page 93, 2nd May 1958 — Opinions and Queries
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Why Service Stations on Motorways?

WE of the Glasgow Transport Club would like to draw " your attention to what we consider to be the ridiculous idea of planning new high-speed motorways with service stations and cafes every 12 miles or so, as referred to in the plans and sketches which were published recently in The Motor and The Commercial Motor. All of us, including the average man in the street, were under the impression that these motorways were for fast vehicles, which could travel from one point to another, perhaps 60-70 miles apart, without any distractions. Now the first thing that is done is to plan obstructions by putting service stations on or near them. Who would want to stop at these in a journey of about an hour?

To erect service stations would be to defeat the designers' own ends, extra land would be taken from farmers and others, and the additional cost would have to come out of taxes, as no private party or company would buy or build such places.

Here, in Scotland, we feel very strongly about these points, and would like you to draw the attention of the Ministry of Transport to them. They might also interest the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Perhaps it is because of having to pay for these useless places that he could not afford to reduce the fuel tax, as all of us had hoped would be done 1. McPort.00K, Glasgow. Secretary, Glasgow Transport Club.

More Effort at " Cleanliness " Needed

ENOUGH has been written about black-smoke emission from oil-engined vehicles—cause, effect and remedy— to fill many voluminous works. There are, unfortunately, still some culprits who are letting down the road transport industry in this respect. Apart from the obvious inconvenience to other road users, there is the all-important matter of road safety. An engine pulling " hard " up a hill often emits clouds of dark smoke directly into the path of overtaking traffic, which, failing the co-operation of the overtaken driver, either causes unnecessary delay or entails passing "blind." Could not the exhaust discharge from such vehicles be located in some other position, where in the event of black-smoke emission less inconvenience and danger are caused to other road users?

I confess that I do not know to what extent this problem affects the actual production of vehicles, but I am tempted to ask if a central position under the chassis, deflecting the exhaust on to the road surface, represents a feasible solution? Upward discharge into the atmosphere seems an ideal method, but it is appreciated that difficulties could be encountered in this respect.

Having been one of the early road users to expose blacksmoke emission (and not being very popular in some quartets for so doing), I find it encouraging that improving conditions have been in evidence recently. It does seem to me that operators need the co-operation of manufacturers in this matter if the industry is to maintain a cleaner record. The cleaner the " turn-out" of commercial vehicles, the better the impression made on the general public. We need to camouflage those odd occasions when, perhaps through neglect, misfortune or unusual circumstance, smoke may be emitted. As an industry and as individual organizations, we are constantly under the spot-light of public opinion. TRUNKIE. Thorpe Bay, Essex.

The Liberal Point of View

VOUR article "Some Political Implications," published I on April 4, suggesting that Liberals should combine with the Tories in an anti-Socialist front to keep out the Socialists, misses some salient factors:— (1) If there were no Liberals standing, it is surely apparent that the Socialists would.get in anyhow.

(2) If the Conservatives cannot hold seats which had a 9,000 majority, how can they expect to retain their marginal seats in a straight fight? Surely the only persons to hold such seats would be Liberal candidates.

(3) Liberals are definitely opposed to the renationalization of steel and road transport, (4) If the Conservatives are as bitterly anti-Socialist as they say they are, the remedy is in their hands—namely in a measure of voting reform. This is the best anti Socialist front. H. F. P. HARRIS, London, S.W.1. General Director, Liberal Party Organization.

What is the Hand Brake For ?

IN your issue dated April 4, there was a report concerning a case in which we were fined, as was the driver, for having a vehicle with inefficient brakes.

We wish to enlarge on the information given. The vehicle in question was fully loaded, and during the first test, using the foot brake, this was found, in the words of the mobile police, to be perfect. The hand brake, however, when tried alone, would not pull up the loaded vehicle.

All hauliers, and most other drivers of commercial vehicles, look upon the hand brake as being intended only for parking, and we feel that something should be done to put this matter on a proper basis. We keep three mechanics and do our best to keep our fleet in sound condition, and in our opinion this compares favourably with those of other users. F. H. COOPER, Sheffield, 8. Director, F. FL Cooper and T. W. Hart, Ltd.


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