TIPPERS GALORE IN CONTRACT-5 QUEUE
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WEST MIDLAND LA Mr John Else at Birmingham on Tuesday demanded assurances from Taylor Woodrow Construction Ltd. and two of its sub-contractors that properlylicensed vehicles only would be employed on Contract 5—as the section of MI to M6 link road is termed. He warned that overloading would not be tolerated.
More than 60 tipper operators applied at the two-day hearing for B licences to work on Contract 5. They were told that only those operators supported by a civil engineering contractor would stand much chance of being licensed for the Bescot operations.
Mr Else made it clear that his decisions would have regard to the previous records of the applicants as hauliers. He could not anticipate decisions of his deputy who had part-heard several similar applications.
The Tuesday hearing was adjourned after evidence of need for 120 vehicles weekly had been given by Mr J. L. Ray, materials manager of Taylor Woodrow. Mr. Else asked the main contractor and its subagents, Longford Construction Co., and W. E. G. Howells and Partners, to submit lists of approved hauliers for consideration on Wednesday. Mr A. Skelding for the objectors, Male and Sons (Pensnett) Ltd., P. H. Cartwright and Sons Ltd., and L. P. Transport (Tividale) Ltd., said talks had led to the withdrawal of the objections. It had been agreed that Male would provide 50 vehicles weekly, leaving a balance of 70 outstanding.
Mr. J. L. Ray said Taylor Woodrow had been embarrassed when William Conway and Sons Transport Ltd. withdrew from the contract as many of the applicants had sought licences to work through Conway but Longford Construction Co. was now supporting the former Conway operators.
About 1m cu.yd. of excavation or filling was outstanding on the Contract 5 operation. said Mr Ray. This job was contracted to finish by next September. Other sections of the road were being put to tender shortly and final completion date was 1971.