Query on 20 p.c. drop fleet earnings
Page 37
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AFTER an application had been amended, objection was withdrawn to a nine-vehicle switch from Contract to public A licence by Edward Robinson (St. Helens) Ltd. in Liverpool last week.
The objectors, Sutton and Son (St. Helens) Ltd. agreed to a normal user: "Goods for Rockware Glass Ltd. within 200 miles, excluding London and Greater London."
For Robinson, Mr G. P. Crow said it had had a contract with Fosters Glass Ltd. since 1948. However, Fosters had now been taken over by Rockware Glass, whose policy excluded contract vehicles. Additionally return loads had fallen by 90 per cent.
Mr A. Bridge, a Robinson director, told thc North Western deputy LA, Mr G. Newman, that whereas bottles used to be transported in wooden crates, they were now packed in cartons and only the pallets had to be returned.
Mr. Newman wanted to know why there had been a 20 per cent drop in the fleet's earnings. Mr. Bridge pointed out that its trunking and return loads had been reduced. This was confirmed by Mr D. A. Ramsden, transport manager of Rockware, St. Helens. Formerly the majority of the work had been long distance, he said, but after the takeover, a rationalization programme had meant they required shorter deliveries.
The application was granted subject to the surrender of the contract.
A switch from contract was also granted to Mr. J. Walsh, Newton-le-Willows, who was applying for a B licence for two tippers to carry tippable building, roadmaking and excavated materials within 25 miles.
Until February, 1967, the contract had been with J. Taylor and Son (Upholland) Ltd. The slag side of the company had then been sold and a contract taken out with J. Taylor (Slag) Ltd.
Mr H. A. Field, a director of the latter company, said it would be advantageous if Walsh could work for both companies under a B licence and he was hoping to negotiate return loads to further utilize the vehicle.
Mr Newman thought the contract arrangement appeared satisfactory and that the application was premature. However, agreement was reached with the two objectors that Walsh should carry for the two Taylor companies and F. and S. White Ltd. under the published conditions. The licence was granted, as amended.
Following an adjourned hearing in June
(COMMERCIAL MOTOR, June 30) the application by Waste Clearance Ltd. Orford, Warrington, for a new B licence was republished but still proved incorrect.
Last January the vehicle had been purchased from Mr R. H. Maudesley of Ainsdale, who wished to retire, and had then been operated from Orford, still under Mr Maudesley's disc.
At the resumed hearing Mr Maudesley said he had operated the vehicle for a further month and had then sustained a hand injury. The vehicle had remained idle since that time.
Mr. G. W. Croft, director of Waste Clearance, said the firm had spent £2,000 on hiring tippers in the past four months.
Since the base had been republished as Dorset Avenue, Ainsdale, Mr. Newman agreed to grant the licence, subject to further republication and no objection being lodged, for a radius of 30 miles from Birtles Road, Orford.