Crosville Losing Blackpool Traffic : Illegality Alleged
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ALTHOUGH Crosville Motor Services, Ltd., had loyally abided by the decision of the North Western Traffic Commissioners, in 1954, *to forbid them to operate along Blackpool promenade, the concern now had to stand to one side and watch other coach companies take away their illuminations traffic. Competitors had been traversing the promenade, illegally or otherwise, to the grave prejudice of Crosville.
New Terminal Sought •
This was submitted to the Commissioners at Manchester last Friday by Mr. G. H. P. Beanies, for the company, when they applied to alter the terminal point in Blackpool on 16 of their excursion licences during the illuminations period. The objectors were Blackpool Transport Department. the police and James Motor Garage, Liverpool. Mr. Beames said that in September. 1954. mainly because the West Midlands Traffic Commissioners had held that private parties should be licensed, there were 115 applications to run illuminations excursions. At that time Crosville, Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., and James were the only operators the town licensed to run along the promenade. Fearing traffic congestion, the Commissioners refused the applications. The situation had, however, changed and Crosville's present application was to enable their coaches to operate along the promenade on hire to W. C. Standerwick, Ltd.
outside Irregular Operations?
Mr. C. R. Buckley, deputy Waffle manager of the applicants, said that they had informed the Commissioners of various irregular operationswhich had come to their notice during the past year. Crosville would he satisfied if the whole position were reviewed and they obtained their fair share, of the. traffic, Since it had become known, to the public that they had to make their own arrangements to sec the illuminations, the company hid. received many' complaints and some people, even after booking. had refusedto travel. For the Corporation. Mr. R. C. Liddell submitted that if the application were granted there would be a flood of similar ones from operators all over the country. The parking places of local operators scattered throughout the busy parts of the town in narrow streets would become terminal points for outside operators, adding to the already serious congestion. The transport department was prepared to run additional tram tours of the illuminations. Mr. Beames replied that the department regarded the application as a threat to their " El Dorado." Mr. F. Williamson, chairman, said that decision would be reserved so that the whole position could be examined. The Commissioners were convinced that a grant would be followed by many similar applications from all over the country. The situation had changed since 1954 because of the provision of the 1956 Act relating to private parties.
They had notbeen impressed by evidence of possible abstraction of
traffic from the department, but had in mind the serious risk if the fire brigade were not able to make their way through congested streets.
DAILY "OPEN-TOPPERS"
OPEN-TOP double-deckers are to be. run daily by the Thames Valley Traction Co., Ltd., between Reading and Maidenhead from Whit Sunday. The vehicles, acquires! from Brighton, where they were used-for services along the seafront, were introduced by the company for operation on Sunday services at Easter.
Its..50' in. COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION to be puid to Ns-, Ceylon bus operators who will be nationalized will amount to Rs.50m for the vehicles only. Capital expenditure for the first year-s working of the transport board will be Rs.118m. The Prime Minister has authorized the purchase of 1,000 buses from abroad.
FARMERS FIGHT BUS CUTS
FIFE farmers are fighting proposals to withdraw permanently the bus services curtailed in the Suez crisis. Action by the Minister of Agriculture is being urged to bring the matter to a head.