Commissioners relist two cases
Page 30
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
THE Eastern Commissioners adjourned an application by Charles Cook Coaches of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, on Friday. They did this because objectors had not been advised that that operator had been granted a dispensation to operate extended tours to Devon and Cornwall, Edinburgh and North Wales.
The objector was Wallis Arnold Tours Ltd and there was also a written representation from L. Safford and Son.
Mr Charles John Cook had said that the application arose as the result of the Eastern Traffic Commissioners' decision in another case where it appeared that a need for further facilities in the Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire areas had been shown. This led to an operators' meeting to discuss how this could best be arranged between them.
The chairman, Mr H. E. Robson, intimated that there had never been any direction by the Commissioners in this way although there had been a suggestion that more picking-up points would be desirable for existing tours.
Mr Cook replied that he had not personally been at the meeting but it appeared there had been considerable misunderstanding; in any event he already had dispensation to operate the tours this year.
After it was said on behalf of Wallis Arnold that this was the first they had heard of a dispensation although objecting from the start, the Commissioners adjourned. On their return Mr Robson said the objectors had not been adviFed, contrary to the usual practice, because they had been objecting to only one part of the application.
In view of the exceptional history of the case, he added, which also involved L. Safford and Son, who felt that any decision in the Cook case would prejudice an application of their own, it would be fairer to adjourn and relist both the Cook and Safford cases together.
A second application by Cook to add 13 picking-up and setting-down points for a Lake District tour was granted.
Mr Cook said that although his firm had 14 points for Continental tours they had been restricted to Biggleswade only, for the Lakes, causing customers hardship and making public relations difficult.