Mr. Hanlon Worried by Sheep Haulage Conditions
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CONCERN at the way sheep were carried by some livestock hauliers was expressed by Mr. J. A. T. Hanlon, Northern Licensing Authority, last week. Sitting at Kendal, he referred to a recent accident on a hill between Keswick and Grasmere, when the driver of a livestock container and 80 of the 250 sheep inside it were killed.
" I feel that all right-thinking people and members and inspectors of the R.S.P.C.A. must have been concerned at this business of 250 sheep being carried in one wagon," he stated. However, although he was entitled to hold an inquiry into the accident, he was reluctant to do so.
Bigger Vehicle Sought Mr. Hanlon was hearing an application by Barnes and Nelson, Skelsmergh, near Kendal, who wanted to delete a 21-cwt. vehicle in favour of a 2-ton platform lorry with a container, for the carriage of sheep, pigs and occasionally cattle, within 15 miles. The Authority made it clear that he was not "picking on" Mr. Nelson, but there were some points about sheep haulage that he wanted to know more about.
"Who decides when the weather is inclement? " he asked, referring to animals carried on the top of three-deck lorries. There was a good deal of uncertainty, although certain regulations were in force about shorn sheep, said Mr. Hanlon. Recently he had seen a threetier lorry loaded with sheep setting off from Longtown for Liverpool. He knew there was bad weather between the points, yet the driver did not regard the weather as inclement.
" Jf the sun is shining in Longtown, how does the driver know what it is like in Liverpool? " he asked.
Top-deck Sheep Better Off Mr. A. E. Nelson, of Barnes and Nelson, replied that a tarpaulin sheet should be carried to be fitted over the top deck if the weather demanded it. But the top-deck sheep were more in their natural surroundings than those inside the container.
Mr. Hanlon: "Sheep are not driven around at 30 m.p.h. in their natural surroundings."
Mr. Nelson: " But they are, to all intents and purposes, in a fold."
Asked about the weather, Mr. Nelson said snow and frost were not considered inclement, although sleet and rain were. Only a storm bothered sheep in their natural surroundings.
Mr. Nelson added that the accident mentioned, which involved a vehicle operated by Stompers. Ltd., Dearham, Cumberland, had been investigated by the Livestock Section of the Road Haulage Association.
Mr. Hanlon: "I am looking first at the carrying of sheep in three-tier wagons, and wondering whether there should be a n6 review, and secondly, at the carrying of sheep in winter in wagons with open tops."
Mr. Nelson replied that the R.H.A. recommendations were always followed by members, but there were many Clicence operators in the area.
His application was granted after Mr. Hanlon had been told that the container would hold only 30 or 40 sheep. It was required to reach out-of-the-way farms which were inaccessible to his present vehicle.
TEES-SIDE—OSTEND SERVICE A COACH service from Tees-side to I-1 Ostend is to be operated by Mr. Raymond Hardwick, Eston, Middlesbrough. The Northern Traffic Commissioners have granted him permission to run one vehicle a week. although he applied for six.
At the hearing, Mr. Hardwick said he wanted to cater for working-class people visiting the Continent. He was opposed by British Railways and six road operators.
NO FINCHLEY ROUND THERE will be no Finchley round of I the Lorry 'Driver of the Year Competition this year. Finchley Road Safety Committee arc, however, interested in promoting a round next year.
The Finchley committee already run a League of Safe Drivers, including a commercial-vehicle section, and have a full programme this year.