Late Notification Causes Trouble

6th May 1960, Page 105

6th May 1960

Page 105

Page 105, 6th May 1960 — Late Notification Causes Trouble

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LTHOUGH many hauliers do not subscribe to the Licensing Authorities' Applications and Decisions but rely' on being notified by letter, 14 days before the date of the public inquiry, there is no statutory obligation for this to be done by the Authority.

An oversight in the Northern Licensing Authority's office whereby notification was not sent out until the last minute, brought complaints and requests for adjournments from Mr. Frank Milton, Road Haulage Association secretary, at Newcastle last week.

Appearing for Crow's Transport, Ltd., Gateshead, who sought two additional A licence vehicles, Mr. Milton told the 'Northern Deputy Licensing Authority, Mr. G. W. Duncan, that notice was received by Mr. Crow only the previous day. It was then impossible to warn witnesses in time or to have the ease properly prepared. Fourteen days' notification had been the accepted practice in the area for the last 30 years. After Mr. Duncan had granted an adjournment, a similar complaint was made by Mr. Kirkup, for Simpson Brothers, Monkseaton, who sought to transfer a C licence vehicle to B licence.

Mr. Kirkup indicated that he proposed to proceed as the applicants, who were paraffin distributors, required the vehicle in their business.

Questioned by Mr. Milton, for road objectors, Mr. L. K. Simpson said he was employed as a printer in Newcastle but delivered the paraffin in the evenings and on Saturdays.

Submitting that there was no full-time seasonal business, Mr. Milton said it could not be in the public interest from the road safety angle for part-time hauliers to be licensed and driving after working all day elsewhere. Refusing the application. Mr. Duncan said he did not Feel it necessary to decide the point on road safety raised by Mr. Milton. He was satisfied that the letters alone were insufficient evidence for the conditions sought.