Evidence Not Enough for Grant
Page 46
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APPEARING before the Transport Tribunal in London on Tuesday, Mr. T. H. Campbell Wardlaw, for Border Engineering Contractors, Ltd., Whitehaven, admitted that evidence given to the Northern Licensing Authority could not justify the grant of a licence with conditions as wide as those sought.
The company had applied for a B licence for an articulated low-loader of 25 tons capacity to work for John Laing and Sons, Ltd., as required, and carry plant, machinery and equipment within 100 miles of Whitehaven.
Mr. Campbell Wardlaw asked the Tribunal to grant a licence with amended conditions authorizing the carriage of plant, machinery and equipment in Cumberland or within a radius of 30 miles.
The company, he said, carried on a substantial business as public works contractors and plant hirers. They needed a low-loader as a commercial necessity. The vehicle was at present on C licence and being used "most actively."
If the licence were granted, the vehicle would still be used 75-80 per cent. for the company's own business. The vehicle was the only low-loader of its size based in West Cumbelland, and the company had received many requests from other' concerns to use it.
Respondents to the appeal were the British Transport Commission, -Siddle C. Cook, Ltd., Consett, County Durham. and Robert Liddle, Ltd., Carlisle. For the Commission, Mr. I. R. C. SamuelGibbon said that there was no doubt that any grant, however limited, would be at the expense of the existing operators.
The hearing was adjourned.