Birch Plan Likely to Succeed
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(IN Tuesday, the Metropolitan Traffic ILICommigsioner commenced to hear the application of Keith and Boyle (London), Ltd., to acquire, by arrangement with Lewis Crenshaw, Ltd., G. Ewer and Co., Ltd., United Service Transport Co., Ltd., Valliant Direct Coaches, Ltd., and Venture Transport (Hendon), Ltd., the goodwill of the seasonal services and excursions and tours of Birch Bros., Ltd., and to surrender the licences for certain considerations.
It is these considerations, mainly concerning a territorial re-arrangement of picking-up points, that are occupying-the attention of the Commissioner and a number of objectors. Furthermore, Keith and Boyle is applying for a new excursion and tours licence from King's Cross, London, to Southend, which is to combine the Birch Express service from Muswell Hill to Southend, and two newly acquired express services operated by New Empress saloons from Wood Green and Barnet to Southend.
Originally, the applications were made under the emergency Regulation 49, but had to be abandoned, owing to strong opposition. The objections were not diminished on Tuesday, and progress was limited to an exposition of the general outlines, already partially modified, of the territorial re-arrangement and to the Keith and Boyle applications.
About eight local operators objected to these, and the Commissioner has already indicated the advisability of modifying them. There is some likelihood of the scheme being 'sanctioned, with minor alterations.
The scheme is to eliminate Birch Bros, Ltd., as a seasonal operator, and to partition London, north of the Thames. into well-defined picking-up areas. Keith and Boyle would surrender its points at Shepherd's Bush, Fulham and Battersea to the "United" and concentrate on Green Lanes, Finsbury, Holloway and King's Cross, with a new feeder to Muswell Hill and Finchley.
"United " would take over Keith and. Boyle's West London feeder and vacate Wood Green and Holloway, but on Wednesday the " United " Shepherd's Bush claim failed. The Ewer concern would leave Holloway and Highbury in favour of Keith and Boyle, which would surrender rights in Tottenham and Dalston. Venture Transport Would acquire the Birch picking-up point at Barnet, Cronshaw one at MaidaVale, and Valliant one at Kensal Green.