Strenuous Fight Against More Railway Tonnage
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RAILWAY applications for increases in road vehicles at various bases in the Yorkshire Traffic Area, met with a certain amount of success this week, notwithstanding strenuous opposition from road operators. At Hull, on 1 Monday, the Yorkshire Licensing Authority reserved decision on applications concerning the L.N.E. Railway company's bases at Hull and Briangton, but at Wakefield, on Tuesday, he made certain grants (reported on another page).
The application concerning the Hull • base was opposed by 40 A.R.O. mombers, who were stated by Mr. F. W. Wallace to represent roa.si tonnage as large as that which the railway company had in the Hull area. The L.N.E.R. sought permission to add, under an A licence, 20 mechanical horses and trailers, and 11 other vehicles, and to replace four existing vehicles by three new ones.
Mr. Merritt "(for the applicant) explained that it was proposed to withdraw 33 horses, and a railway witness stated that the amount of traffic which would be transferred from horse to mechanical transport would be 1,198 tons per week.
Mr. Dees, manager for Messrs. Waddington, one of a number of hauliers who gave evidence against the application, declared that 20 mechanical horses for 1,198 tons were excessive, When Mr. James Newham, another haulier, was giving evidence in opposition, he remarked that he had in mind what would happen to road hauliers in Hull if the railway company carried out its intentions in relation to the transport of timber.
Taking exception to this point, Mr. Merritt said that he was not wanting to hide anything, but he thought that railway officials should have been cross-examined on this point if it were intended to pursue this opposition.
When Mr. Newham said that the L.N.E.R. had, by its tenancy agreements, precluded the merchants at the fish dock from sending fish by road beyond a specified limit, and that road hauliers were not allowed to go into the fish dock, the Licensing Authority commented: " The railway company has the right to patrol its own premises as it thinks fit" Mr. Charles Hayes, another Hull haulier, stated that he used to obtain El per ton for transport to Tickton, but he lost this traffic because the railway was carrying it for 4s. 6d.
Mr. Wallace, for the objectors, said they contended that the ratio of substitution of mechanical horses for physical horses should not be anything like that proposed. Mr. Wallace also suggested that, in any event, a B licence would meet requirements.
The Licensing Authority deferred his decision on the Beverley application, pending the production of certain figures. When they were handed in at Wakefield, on Tuesday, Mr. F. G. Bibbings (secretary, Yorkshire Area, A.R.0.) asked whether he might comment or cross-examine tiopon them. This request was refused and the application was granted. Mr. Bibbings said that he would seek counsel's opinion regarding the possibility of an appeal.