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TRANSPORT OF PETROL THROUGH THAMES TUNNELS.

5th August 1924, Page 9
5th August 1924
Page 9
Page 9, 5th August 1924 — TRANSPORT OF PETROL THROUGH THAMES TUNNELS.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

THE highways committee of the L.C.C. reporting on the conveyance of inflammable and dangerotts liquids, states that the existing by-laws ni respect of Rotherhithe and Blackwell Tunrels prevent any person from taking into the tunnels any substance which may cause injury or fire or explosion in the tunnels or prejudicially affect their use. The by-laws consequently prohibit the conveyance through the tunnels of inflammable liquids, and in May, 1921, the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis drew the attention of the council to the question which had then arisen of the conveyance through the tunnels ef fuel oil.

The committee finds that, with the development of motor traffic, greater

• -earieties_ of inflammable liquids are carried an the public roads, and that individual consignments are in an increasing. quantity and very much larger bulk. Except in the case of the conveyance of petroleum spirit there is little or

nothihg to indicate the nature of the inflammable liquids carried.

The peculiar conditions obtaining in a tunnel under a river are such as greatly to increase the danger arising from mishaps to persons orvehicles carrying substances which are allowed to be conveyed without restraint in open thoroughfares. At the same time, the ,firms interested in the business of fuel oils naturally desire that conveyance by the shortest route should he permitted where possible. A conference was therefore arranged between the representatives of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and officers of the council, at which it was agreed that as a basis for future discussion the existing by-law dealing with the conveyance of dangerous materials through the -Thames tunnels should be modified so as to provide for the drawing up of two schedules relating to inflammable liquids and materials, one schedule specifying the liquids and materials the passage of which throughthe

tunnels should be absolutely, prohibited and the other those of which the passage should only be permitted at night between certain hours.

Two schedules on the lines suggested were accordingly drawn up and these were communicated to the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and the London Chamber of Commerce and 18 companies interested in the question, all of whom were invited to attend a conference for the purpose of discussing the question. A draft by-law was subsequently drawn up and was submitted to the Commissioner of Police and later to the Home Secretary, and as the result of consideration of the observations made, the committee is in a position to submit for the approval of the council the terms of the by-laws which ahould be made and which the Secretary of State will be prepared to approve, subject to the consideration of any objections that may he received after the receipt of copies of the by-laws.


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