New Licence for Six " Arties Would Not Increase Fleet
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A LTHOUGH the application for a 1—k new B licence for six articulated
uaits appeared ambitious, in reality it would not add to fleet strength. Mr. J. A. Dunkerley said this on behalf of Mr. W. Blamire, Longton, Preston, before the North Western Deputy Licensing Authority, at Preston last week.
Mr. Blamire had a substantial fleet, added Mr. Dunkerley, consisting of 21 vehicles on A licence; nine on special A licence; six on B licence; one on contract-A; and three on short-term B.
There were 16 articulated units. In addition there were II vehicles on C licence in connection with the applicant's separate business as an agricultural produce merchant.
Mr. Blamire provided trunk services between Preston and London and Glasgow. Although there were 30 vehicles on long-distance work, no application had ever been made for collection and delivery vehicles. Instead of applying for more vehicles, it had been decided to seek to change the B-licence vehicles to articulated units.
This would involve a change of base for five of the vehicles. but no altera tion in the type of work. To ease the minds of the objectors, the British Transport Commission, Mr. Blamire was prepared to alter the condition of "general goods, 40 miles," to "collection and delivery for the trunk vehicles. 40 miles?'
Mr. W. Blamire said that at present the trunk vehicles were being double
shifted to include collection and delivery work. He gave the objectors an assurance that the collection and delivery work was not connected with the Irish ferry services. There was daily collection and.delivery as far as Shotton.
Chester, Ellesmere Port, Manchester, Stockport and Hyde. In September this year, there were 79 collections and 56 deliveries up to 1-ton: 47 and 44 from 1-1 ton; and 55 and 63 from 1-2 tons. Mr. R. C. Oswald, for the Commission, said that the change of base for furniture vans from Blackpool would increase Pickford's competition in Preston. There were no figures for the B-licensed vehicles' earnings. The A-licensed vehicles could be relieved to carry more on the trunk services.
Mr. Dunkerley suggested that the way the figures had been presented, splitting the work into weight categories, was much better than the usual practice. The Authority said that he was satisfied that the application would make for economy and avoid empty running and granted it as amended.
SHELL-B.P. TO BUY NATIONAL BENZOLE?
T° consolidate supply and other working arrangements which have existed for some years, Shell-Mex and B.P.. Ltd., have made an offer. believed to be over £10m.. to National Benzoic Holdings. Ltd.. for the fuel and lubricants distributive trade, carried on by the National Benzoic Co.. Ltd.
The hoard of National Benzoic Holdings, Ltd.; have recommended acceptance of the offer. The National Benzoic Co.. Ltd.. will continue to operate as a separate entity and receive supplies of benzoic and petrol as before. Shell-Mex and B.P.. Ltd., have supplied petrol which, for the past 25 years, has formed about three-quarters of National Benolc mixtures.
PRIORITY IN TESTS?
THE Ministry of Transport is to be asked by the Road Haulage Association to give commercial-vehicle drivers priority when driving tests are resumed. The Association's national executive committee decided last week to support a resolution on these lines proposed by the Metropolitan and South Eastern Area.