Railway Closed : More Co-op Excursions
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LACK Of road and. rail facilities at Ashton-in-Makerfield was quoted as a reason for an application 'by St. Helens Industrial. Co-operative Society, 'Ltd., before the North Western Traffic Commissioners at Manchester last week. The applicants 'wished to link two of their excursion and tours licences which originated from Wigan and Ashton-inMakerfieId and wanted to use two extra vehicles each day, to any authorized destination. The case was opposed by Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., British Railways, Webster Bros. (Wigan), Ltd., and Lancashire United Transport, Ltd. Mr. S. Moss, for the applicants, said that he would be quite happy if the condition: "not more than one vehicle on any one day shall be operated to Morecambe, Fleetwood, Blackpool, Cleveleys, Southport, Rhyl. Colwyn Bay and Llandudno," was added to each licence, and a modification was attached to say that the two licences must not be. linked.
Mr, H. Backhouse, for Webster Bros., ;aid he would be satisfied if that part of c4
the application to link the licences was withdrawn and the limiting condition was added... Mr. R. C. Oswald, objecting for British Railways, observed that the Sr: Helens Society would still be authorized to operate two extra vehicles to football matches and' oneextra on coastal excursions; there was no lack of facilities to necessitate this: Two witnesses who lived at Ashton-inMakerfield, said in evidence that there were no road or rail facilities from their homes to North Wales or the north-west coast. The railway station was closed and the nearest bus stop was a mile away from it. They had to travel into Wigan before they could go on an excursion by coach.
Mr. Oswald Stated that there had been no evidence of public need for more travel facilities to football matches. The witnesses seemed interested only in day trips.
Mr. F. Williamson, the chairman, granted the application but addedthe condition suggested by Mr. Moss and a modification that the two licences should not be ]inked.