Engineers Asked to Press for Higher Speed Limit
Page 32
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
COULD not employees of commercialvehicle manufacturers make drivers realize that their selfishness in opposing the increase in the speed limit on heavy goods vehicles to 30 m.p.h. would enlarge the prospects of unemployment in all manufacturing industries, asked Sir John E. Thornycroft, K.B.E., governing director and chairman of John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., at the company's annual meeting last week.
He said that the Government's refusal to raise the speed limit and to allow goods vehicles to be built 8 ft. wide was prejudicing the company's efforts to obtain export business.
The Australian market for medium and heavy vehicles had virtually ceased to exist, because of the restriction on credit and levies placed on inter-state road transport in an effort to force back goods transport to the national railways. Because of lack of sterling, Brazil and Argentina remained almost closed markets.
Steel Shortage South Africa had bought commercial vehicles from America because British makers, as a result of a shortage of steel; could not give deliveries. South Africa had met its requirements for some time ahead. India was a difficult market on account of national legislation and a shortage of credit.
The Dutch Government and the South African Defence Force had ordered Mighty Antars. Big Ben 10tonners were being built for the Ministry of Supply and a number of oil companies.
Competition in light and mediumweight vehicles was "very keen." Home orders had declined greatly as a result of conditions brought about by denationalization and threats of renationalization.
Sir John urged that the purchase tax on commercial vehicles should be removed in the next Budget, or that, in any event, medium and heavy vehicles should be exempt. If purchase tax were continued, the reaction on new designs might take years to eliminate.
Sir Geoffrey Burton, chairman of Dennis Brothers, Ltd., also refers in his annual statement to the evil consequences of purchase tax. I4e says that a tax rebate scheme on vehicles held in stock should be introduced. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has been urging that such a scheme should be adopted.
Restrictions on hire purchase have also caused difficulties in the home trade. In particular, orders for coaches have declined, because in a seasonal business operators cannot find twothirds 'of the purchase price within 18 months.
: Sir Geoffrey says that prices of vehicles will have to be increased if the engineers' application for higher wages is granted.
10-TON WEIGHT LIMIT FOR TRANSPORTER BRIDGE
VVEHICLES using the WidnesRuncorn transporter bridge will be restricted to a maximum weight of 10 tons from January 1, 1954. The measure is a precaution to extend the life ot the bridge to keep it in service until the new high-level road bridge is completed in 1957.
Heavy tankers and other vehicles from Liverpool and south-west Lancashire will have to make a detour of about 12 miles through Warrington.
Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd., who have big chemical works in Widnes and Runcorn, will be particularly affected.
DAZZLE TESTS IN AMERICA
TESTS on headlight dazzle are to be held in America next year. British advisers will take part. The Minister of Transport will await the outcome before considering possible further legislative action regarding types of lamp and the obligation to dip headlights when meeting oncoming vehicles.