No Wider Conditions for Chemicals
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THE addition of two vehicles to the B-licence fleet of W. H. Cowburn and Cowpar, Ltd., Trafford Park, MancheSter, to carry chemicals in the North Western Traffic Area for SiIvercrown, Ltd., London, was granted by the North Western Deputy Licensing Authority, Mr. J. R. Lindsay, at Manchester last week. An application to extend these conditions to the vehicles already on licence was refused.
Mr. J. A. Dunkerley, for Cowburn and Cowpar, said they were chemical suppliers and hauliers with 43 vehicles on B licence, 42 of them articulated tractors with interchangeable tanker and "flat trailers. • The conditions allowed chemicals to be carried for named concerns. It was now sought to add to them: "Chemicals and containers within Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, North Wales and the Midlands for Silvercrown. Ltd." They also wanted to add to the B licence two small vehicles, a " fiat" and a van, at present on C licence. Similar conditions were required.
Silvercrown, who specialized in chemicals for electro-plating and metal finishing, had recently extended to the north-west, and chemicals were stored for them by the applicants for the manufacture of acids. These chemicals were expensive, corrosive and poisonous and required specialized handling. The work at present amounted to only about two tons a week, but they wanted the vehicles to be interchangeable.
Objecting for the British Transport Commission, Mr. G. H. P. Beames said it was a ease of established hauliers seeking additional vehicles and wider conditions. They had to prove an increase in their own and their customers' business, together with inconvenience. However, the figures showed a decrease in haulage over the past two years of £3,933, and in hiring of £2,136. There were no tonnage figures, and he submitted there was no case to answer.
Mr. Dunkerley pointed out that it was entirely new work which could not harm anyone. Cowburn and Cowpar were not seeking to prove that they were fully occupied, but they wanted to meet their customers' needs. Small and urgent lots were not suitable for the bigger vehicles, and could be more economically carried on those at present on C licence.