MOTOR COACHES ON ESSEX ROADS.
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rr HE Inspector of the Ministry of
Transport held an inquiry at the Shire Hall, Chelmsford, a few days ago into the application of the Essex County Council for an Order to prohibit or restrict the use of certain roads under the control of the council by heavy motor traffic. Mr. C. II. Carter answered for the Essex County Council' Mr. J. Ft. Macdonald, instructed by Messrs. JoynsonHicks, appeared for the London General and Provincial Omnibus Co. and the National Omnibus Co.' Mr. R. Mcdonald represented the National Traction Engine Owners' and Users' Association and the Steam Cultivators' Association ; whilst Mr. G. D. D. Dean appeared for the Automobile Association and the Commercial Motor Users Association.
The chief object of the application was really the prohibition of char-k-bancs traffic on these roads, and Mr. Carter made it clear at the opening of the inquiry that the council had no wish to do anything that would affect the trade of the district or agriculture.
At the opening of the inquiry a number of roads came under discussion, these including the Colchester-Harwich Road, the Hatfield Peverel-Malden Road and several other thoroughfares. On the fol
lowing day about a dozen roads in and around Rochford and Southend were dealt with, and, as is well known, there is no district of Essex in which there is more motor coach traffic than around these centres.
The surveyor to the Rochford Rural District Council said that the total mileage it was asked should he scheduled was 24 out of a total mileage of 96 in the district.
At the close of the case for the council, Mr. Dean called Mr. G. A. Spenser, a director of the Westeliff Motor Services, Ltd. The vehicles of this company are run on pneumatic tyres, and Mr. Spenser stated that their services started in 1908, and ran over practically all the roads in the Rochford district it was desired to schedule, and that they had never had a serious accident. He stated that the effect of closing the roads in question would be to increase the volume of traffic on the main roads.
Mr_ Dean suggested that it was not competent for the Ministry to close the roads to one class of vehicle simply because of the, type of body with which it was •fitted.
After further views had been expressed the inquiry closed.