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Excursion aggro threatens licences

6th April 1979, Page 12
6th April 1979
Page 12
Page 12, 6th April 1979 — Excursion aggro threatens licences
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Keywords : Sports

FAILURE to comply with conditions imposed on a licence for football excursions by Crown Coaches, Cram lington, Northumberland led to the firm being called before the Northern traffic commissioners for consideration of the revocation or suspension of its road service licence last week.

The chairman of the commissioners, Bertram Foster, said complaints had been received from the Bedfordshire police following an incident in Luton. A party of Newcastle United supporters returning from a match with Charlton Athletic stopped near Luton town centre.

Most of the passengers went to a public house and at about lOpm a fight broke out. Damage was caused to the premises and 30 of the passengers were charged with a breach of the peace. The police had complained to the commissioners about the operator stopping for that length of time in the town centre.

John Reed, proprietor of Crown Coaches, said they no longer operated football excursions and the driver concerned was no longer with them. The driver was experienced at football excursion work, having previously been employed by the coaching arm of the Tyne and Wear PTE Armstrong Galley.

The PTEs conditions for football excursions, whic h he produced, did not contain any requirements concerning notification to the police of stopping places and the line of route.

Taking no action, Mr Foster said the Commissioners were satisfied the firm had taken appropriate action to prevent any further breach of the conditions. The Commissioners were very concerned about operators who failed to comply with the conditions they had laid down, which included notification to the police.

They were determined to do all they could to ensure that people travelling on football coaches caused as little nuisance as possible, although some seemed determined to make trouble.

The purpose of the conditions was to assist operators in refusing to do what the passengers wanted if it was likely to lead to trouble. It had to be impressed on drivers that they must comply with the conditions, otherwise action would be taken against the operator.

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Organisations: Bedfordshire police