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Organized Goods Transport Services
Page 139
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The Nottingham Chamber of Commerce Link Between Haulier and Consignor
THE Road Transport Department of the Nottingham Chamber of Commerce is not a clearing house In the accepted sense of the term as applied to road transport, but more an organization responsible for regular services to industrial areas by co-operadoe With local haulage contractors.
The departmeut was set up in the latter part Of 1919, the original intention being to provide facilities to members of the chamber and others for the transport of goods by Toad, employing the local haulage contractors and utilizing the returning vehicles of haulage contractors from other towns, purely on a commission basis.
The first step in respect of organized services was the establishment of a daily service to London, principally for the carriage of small consignments, it being, of course, a simple matter to arrange for the movement of heavier loads.
In dealing with "smells," prompt collection and delivery are essential, and arrangements were therefore made with Carter, Paterson and Co., Ltd., for the delivery of goods not only in London, but over the whole of this company's area.
The establishment ot this service speedily led to the demand for others to such places as Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham, and these were put into operation as circumstances permitted. The same policy has been adopted throughout, local delivery agents being appointed in all the large centres, these being in a position to deal with traffic over a fairly wide area. All these services run strictly to schedule, and the utmost standard of efficiency is demanded.
One of the main criticisms against road transport in the past has been its apparent inability to deal with small consignments, and the fact that it sought only the heavier traffic, leaving the remainder to other forms of transport. Many haulage concerns in the past seem to have been afraid of the overhead charges in respect of collection and delivery, overlooking the fact that small consignments command a much higher rate per ton than the heavier, and, in most instances, consist of traffic in the hie.her classifications. For this reason, where the organization is sound, much better rates per ton for the bulk conveyance from depot to depot can be paid to the haulage contractors. For the first few years, in relation to its local collection and delivery services, the department worked through the medium of an established firm of carriers, but as the business developed the need for wider scope was evident.
Consequently, two years ago the department was able to secure suitable premises at Sherwin Road, Lenten, which were equipped with loading docks and the necessary office accommodation, and the work here is carried out under the supervision of the staff.
'These increased facilities speedily led to the development of further regular services in all directions, until now it can safely be said that there is but little of the country that is not reached from Nottingham by the medium of an organized road-transport system..
Appreciated for 14 Years.
The work that has been carried on at Nottingham for nearly 14 years has proved to be a great boon, not only to the haulage contractors who work under its supervision, but also to the merchants and manufacturers.
The hauliers operating for the department on a regular basis haye their work detailed to them week by week, and every effort is made to comply with the conditions of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, in respect of hours and conditions of employment.
Considerable use is also made of the vehicles of hauliers from other towns who run into Nottingham regularly, but owing to the nature of the work it is sometimes difficult to provide loads for the man who comes to the district spasmodically. Experience has frequently proved that the services these men are able to offer are not so satisfactory as that of the regular man, but, at the some time, every effort is made to provide loads for them. The whole of the accountancy work is, of course, undertaken by the department, the haulers merely being responsible for the condition of their vehicles, and payments are made monthly.
The organization also undertakes to see that all goods carried are fully insured against all risks, the liability of the hauliers also being covered by a percentage contribution to-the chamber's policy.
The department now has a clerical and depot staff of 15, the work being sub-divided into traffic under an experienced manager, and accountancy, under a chief book-keeper and cashier, both of whom are responsible to the general manager. There is also a fulltime London representative who is in touch with traffic movements from London, and the general supervision of all drivers on this service.
The question of inwards traffic has been carefully watched, as it is obvious that an organization of this nature cannot be successful unless traffic in both directions is controlled.
The consistent growth and continued success of the work in Nottingham is proof that industry is willing and anxious to avail itself of road-transport services organized on a sound basis.
Under the provisions of the Road and Rail Traffic Bill an organization of this nature should be a valuable factor in enabling the smaller type of haulage contractor to comply with the conditions laid down as to licensing. One valuable feature of the work of the department since its inception has been the fact that rate-cutting between the smaller men in the locality has been practically eliminated.