Established Haulier has Prior Claim Over R.H.E.
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I: AM treating the Road. Haulage Executive in this matter as just another haulier. I am not concerned with questions of loss of trade and taxpayers' money. My duty is to see that justice is done to both parties from the transport point of view."
The Northern Licensing Authority made this observation when the R.H.E. objected to an application by Messrs. J. Rogers and Son, Whitehaven, to increase the radius of operation of one of their vehicles from 10 to 25 miles. Details were given of idle time spent by R.H.E. vehicles at Cockermouth, which, it was contended, could handle extra work.
The Authority asked Mr. R. G. Davies, R.H.E. group manager, whether before a firm should expand their business, the whole of the surplus transport facilities within 15 miles should be absorbed. Mr. Davies replied: "Yes, in the present circum stances. British Road Services have paid for the goodwill of this particular business at Cockermouth."
The Authority: " But not for White haven. On this pal tieular matter, I should have thought in the haulage business it was understood that a man did not muscle in on other people's customers just because he had a little spare capacity. If any surplus has to be given to an outsider, they don't get the same service from the outsider normally, because he is what one would call a 'catch customer.'"
Mr. F. J. McHugh, for the R.H.E., pointed out that a large sum of taxpayers' money had been spent on acquiring the vehicles at Cockermouth and the Executive thought it its duty to take steps to attract custom.
The Authority increased the operating radius of the vehicle concerned to 25 miles for the Whitehaven Brick and Tile Co., and 10 miles for other customers. He added: "I consider that a long-established haulier is entitled to expand to meet the expanding needs of his customers, even if there are other hauliers, even in the neighbourhood, who have never carried for the customer and have surplus vehicles in the neighbourhood."