Line-up for Transport Battle in the Summer
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FROM OUR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT
NEARLY everyone, it seems, wants to get in on the Beeching act. Inspired no doubt by the new look to be given to transpori in 1963, more and more groups are finding that " studies " are needed to plan for the future.
Two new groups entered the field last week. The National Chamber of Trade, worried about the effect of closures on business, issued circulars to members to see how 'much they depended on the railways for supplies.
Then the Inland Waterways Association chipped in with an announcement that it would study the potentialities of Braish canals to meet the Common Market rush.
These moves emphasize the fast-multiplying amount of activity going on among possible pressure groups lining up for the big transport battle which will develop in the early summer.
Dr. Beeching himself may join in the free-for-all, as I understand he would like his proposals published befo-e the Government's verdict is known. This is so that the public can judge exactly where the Government disagrees with him, and proposes to hold back his drive for viability—or alternatively to agree to bolster social services with balancesheet adjustments.
Tie canal inquiry is sensibly bound up with the large amount of successful canal traffic which exists on the Continent. Links between run-down canals and the flourishing ones in Europe may be needed to supplement road, rail, sea and air links and there may be a new Tease of life for these waterways ahead under the new State Board which has just come into being.
There is also pressure to 'take up the Rochdale Committee's recommendations about road links to the docks. It is considered by many people that the delays and imperfections at the docks must be rapidly overcome to meet the new trade movements that are pealing in the expanding field of trade.
Mr. Marples is in the process of con-sidering the first reactions to the Report. He will probably act more quickly on the congestion problems than on some of the others, as far-reaching social implications lie behind the proposals to develop Tilbury and Southampton to the exclusion of other existing ports.
The National Chamber of Trade is getting ready to launch a powerful blast against railway closures if its survey shows that retail traders in areasalready affected have been hard hit.
They are looking for actual examples of distress already caused, and hardship likely to be caused in other threatened areas. One important point being probed is the effectiveness of alternative delivery methods working in areas where rail services have been withdrawn.
The upshot of the inquiry will probably be an approach to Dr. Beeching with an imposing array of facts about varying transport requirements.
The Beeching plan is likely to be in the Government's hands in March. and in this context the allied decisions about rural transport, the Channel tunnel and probably road licensing as well will need to be taken.