' B-licence grant because C yielded no profit'
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B LICENCES have never before been granted because an operator could not make his C licence pay, Mr. R. M. Yorke told the Transport Tribunal in London on Tuesday.
He was appealing on behalf of four companies against a North Western traffic area decision granting a B licence to Cherringham (Skelmersdale), of Liverpool Road, Skelmersdale, to move earth-moving machinery within 10 miles of Skelmersdale on an articulated low-loader.
The appellants were Transport Holding Company (Pickfords) Ltd., Robert Walker (Haulage) Ltd., W. L. Roebuck Ltd., and H. R. D. McConochie Ltd.
Mr. Yorke said Cherringham had been granted a C licence in January. The firm had said in evidence that the vehicle had been running at a "dead loss" and it wanted a B licence to offset that loss.
The capacity of the low-loader was 25 tons but it could carry only about Il tons if the load was not to become a special type. There was now, however, evidence of need for special loads and there had been no suggestion that the appellants would not be able to meet such needs if given proper notice.
Cheshire constabulary was becoming increasingly reluctant to give permission for special loads because people were not complying with the rule demanding at least 48 hours' prior notification.
A witness gave evidence that he had not had all his needs met by existing operators. Cherringham could not operate its outfit economically because it was using a vehicle twice as big as needed for the job.
"Cherringham would take work away from established operators. Where else is the work going to come from which .will enable this vehicle to make a profit?" asked Mr. Yorke.
For Cherringham, Mr. G. R. Crowe said that the LA had made a condition on the licence to protect existing operators from making inroads into the ordinary type of work in which they took part.
It was decided to apply for a C licence so that Cherringham could meet the needs of contractors in Skelmersdale who had up till now been obliged to load their equipment on ordinary lorries by building banks of earth to the lorries.
Tribunal president Mr. G. D. Squibb, QC, said the decision would be announced later.