Normal User : B.R. Withdraw Objection
Page 40
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AN objection by British Railways to the renewal of an A licence held by Mr. G. R. Douglas. Elland, was withdrawn at 1.eeds. last week, after evidence that the normal user had been narrowed since the
licence was first issued. .
The licence expired last July. and when Mr. Douglas applied for renewal in December he produced no figures or witneSses and was not represented. He asked for " malt, cattle foods, wheat. barley, wool. lead and engineering products—Hull, Liverpool. Wales. Newcastle, the Midlands, London and Scotland."
Before the case was adjourned, Mr. Douglas was cross-examined by Mr. T. B. Atkinson, for British Railways. He said he took over the one-vehicle licence in 1954, with a normal user "textiles, wool and waste. Metal goods, Elland to Brighouse, and Leeds and surrounding districts within 25 miles of base."
Mr. Atkinson submitted that there had been a complete change of normal user since 1954. and the grant of the licence in its new form would be strongly opposed. At the renewed hearing, however. Mr. P. Kenny, for the applicant. said British Railways were going to be disappointed.
He explained that the licence was last renewed during nationalization, when hauliers were restricted to 25 miles. In 1947 the normal user was "general goods, Great Britain," and when the licence was first issued, in 1934, it was "general haulage, Great Britain." At the 1939 renewal, the conditions were "textiles, timber, building materials and furniture. Yorkshire. Lancashire and'as required."
The 1957 renewal was completely overlooked, and as soon as it was drawn to Mr. Douglas' attention he applied for.
and was granted, a short-term licence. Three witnesses were now prepared to give eidence of need, and certified figures showed that the applicant's two lorries, one of them on special A licence, had earned an average of £100 a week since June, 1955.
For British Railways, Mr. J. Booth said their objection would be withdrawn in view of the evidence. Granting the application, Mr.]. H. C. Randolph. Yorkshire Deputy Licensing Authority. congratulated Mr. Douglas on the way the figures had been prepared, giving the position at a 'glance. He said he wished all applicants would do the same.