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Will Road Transport be Short?

2nd November 1945
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Page 17, 2nd November 1945 — Will Road Transport be Short?
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

WITH the cessation of the war, the gradual Possibly a Te closing down of muniDemand for tion factories and the reduction Prospects in the transport of armaments, it seems to have become the policy of the Government, as represented by the Regional Transport Commissioners., to arrest at least some of• the activities of quite a large number of hauliers by stopping the issue of short-term licences. The purpose appears to be a return to the carriers' licensing figures of 1939.

It is quite natural that there should be a surplus, at least for the time being, of those particular types of vehicle which were employed in such work as the construction of aerodromes and the carriage of classes of load concerned only with the war. It is for this reason, for example, that many hundreds of tipping wagons are out -of commission.

In connection with the latter, an interesting suggestion was put forward last week by one of our correspondents, i.e., they should be employed to reduce the large dumps of coal which, it is claimed, exist at the mines arid which await only transport to 'enable them to be put to valuable use. It may not be entirely economic to carry bulk loads of coal for, possibly, long distances in this way, but if the shortage of fuel be really so great as is suggested by Government speakers, the value of the use of the vehicles in question in this manner would probably outweigh any lack of economy.

Interim Period the Most Difficult We are, however, not so much concerned with this particular matter as with the general situation. During this difficult interim period, when _manufacturers in many fields are unable to get down to anything like normal production because some are still engaged on the production of munitions, others are having difficulty in obtaining the necessary supplies of the special materials which they require for the manufacture of articles for the civilian market both here and overseas, and nearly all are held back by lack of labour, road transport may be experiencing the beginning of a lull.

It is our belief, however, that this reduced call on the facilities which our industry can provide, mporary Reduced particularly on the haulage Haulage, but the tion. If only we put our backs are Excellent into the job of winning the peace as. we did in that of winning the war, our period of recuperation, at least so far as transport and employment are concerned, should pass quickly.

An enormous amount of transport will be required when the housing programme gets into its full stride. The improvement of our roads and the construction of motorways will undoubtedly involve the use of thousands of vehicles. These factors, again, will benefit the passenger-carrying industry, as the workers must have; and will demand, adequate transport.

Transport Growth as Shortages Go At present, the supply of what the Americans term "consumer goods" is strictly limited, whilst.

the rationing of food naturally has its effect in the quantities which must be carried. As these goods and foodstuffs grow in abundance, so will the need for their transport. Purchasers will also not always continue to be content with zoning schemes which debar them from buying those particular delicacies which they may prefer, and any amelioration in this direction will mean mon, extended hauls. The new or developing industries, such as the production of plastics and of articles made from them, will also throw their weight into the scales.

It would seem, therefore, that far from the licensing figures of 1039 being sufficient, a return to them might well create a dearth of road transport which might result in many bottlenecks. We hope that the Commissioners and the Government will take this point of view into consideration.

We do not want road transport to be accused of inefficiency at some reasonably early date, because, as a consequence of it being cut down, it may not be able to tackle with rapidity all the. work which it will be called upon to undertake.

It must not be forgotten that almost everything starts its journey and finishes it by road, even if other means for transport also be employed. Take, for instance, the carriage of goods by air. Many people are of the opinion that this will become an important business, particularly in connection with valuable loads of comparatively small weight and compass. Suitable aerodromes cannot usually be built in the immediate proximity of the larger industrial centres and communities, but for this method of transport to prove efficient, speedy and economic, the goods carried must be brought to air freighters by fast vehicles and taken from them in the same manner. Nothing else than motor vehicles can adequately perform these services, for the length of the leads would in the majority of cases be insufficient to justify conveyance by rail. Taking everything into cons'ideration, we have, therefore, great hopes as to the successful future of road transport, if it be not unduly circumscribed or subjected to any form of " deadening " control by hordes of officials. Given a reasonably free hand, it will be able to meet all its commitments, and even ask for more. Vague accusations of its inefficiency are often made by those unqualified to judge. The industry must always challenge such statements, which, in nearly every case, will be proved to have been founded upon lack of knowledge, and little or no appreciation of the respect in which road haulage is held by trade and industry.

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