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Hauliers may use liner train depots after all
Page 36
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By an industrial correspondent
cLARIFICATION-if that is the word
has now been given to the statement issued by the NUR on May 20 as to their position regarding the operation of liner trains. Previously it had been the NUR's contention that only BRS, BR's own haulage fleets and C licence vehicles, should enter liner train terminals.
Then on May 20 it conceded that "hired cartage should be utilized on long road hauls where necessary" until the BR fleet had been augmented sufficiently to undertake the additional cartage and delivery work involved.
Now, following further discussions, a liberal interpretation is being placed on the NUR's May 20 statement. It is understood that private hauliers will be able to use liner train terminals provided that they are technically "hired" by British Rail. Such hiring arrangements would be purely on paper as the price charged by BR would merely recover the hire' fee.
The whole position is further complicated by the timing of the publication of full details of the National Freight Authority as a White Paper on transport policy in the immediate future and the annual policy conference in July of the NUR.
One aspect of this easement so far as private hauliers' entry into liner train terminals is concerned is the difficulty being experienced by BR in expanding its road vehicle fleet. The vehicle manufacturing industry is blamed for an 18-month delay in the supply of vehicles.
Despite these difficulties the original LondonGlasgow liner train, which operates five nights a week, is now carrying a 70 per cent payload and a supplementary day service is expected to be introduced shortly. The three existing Freightliner terminals at London, Glasgow and Manchester are to be supplemented with the addition of one at Liverpool (Garston).
As a result, it is then expected to have in operation this year five liner train services— namely. London-Liverpool, Glasgow-Liverpool and Glasgow-Manchester in addition to the two existing services of London-Glasgow which commenced on November 15 last year and London-Manchester which started on February 28 this year.