Facilities Stretched to Limit As Operators Meet Initial Demands
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EARLY in the week, work at Glasgow docks was brought close to a standstill. Many additional lorries were brought in to relieve the congestion, but the absence of trains caused a pile-up of heavy materials and the suspension of work on a number of ships,
Bulk loads of fish were leaving Hull docks by road, and vehicles were also being used in the West Country to take out milk to the industrial areas.
In Manchester, the first impact of the strike was lessened by the fact that a number of establishments in the cotton trade was closed during Whit-week. The general impression on Tuesday was that road services had proved sufficient for most passenger requirements.
Manchester Corporation reported every available vehicle on the road during the busy periods. For the suburban and country operators the problem was eased by the number of schools on holiday.
Many holidaymakers at Blackpool, who had travelled to the resort by rail, clamoured for seats on coaches for the return journey.
Many manufacturers and traders in the north-west were planning tip collect essential supplies in their own lorries. Mr. W. Farnorth, area secretary of the Road Haulage Association in Manchester, said on Tuesday that his office had had many offers of vehicles.
A similar situation was reported from other area offices of the R.H.A. Mr.
G. W. Irwin, secretary of the Eastern area, told The Commercial Motor that the Licensing Authority was trying to assist traders who could not cover urgent requirements With their own vehicles.
In London, a spokesman for the Passenger Vehicle Operators' Association said that the majority of their members in the London area were working to capacity. Many banks and insurance offices had engaged coaches to carry employees between their homes and offices.
This general impression was confirmed by Mr. E Speight, of George Ewer and Co., Ltd., who told The Commercial Motor on Tuesday that the charting office had the appearance of August Bank Holiday rather than a normal Tuesday afternoon.
Many inquiries about services were being received from people stranded away from home by the strike, and a greater number of people than usual was booking single tickets.
Victoria Coach Station was, on Tuesday, still trying to .cope with the problem of getting stranded holidaymakers home. Over the week-end the station was one of the busiest places in London.
The earliest effect of the railway strike on British Road Services was light, although the parcels services were working at "high pressure," a spokes,. man said