Threat ?
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"THE building of commercial trunk pipelines may not seem, at I first sight, to be a prime threat to road haulage. Nobody can state categorically one way or the other at this stage; but it must be borne in mind as a potential threat—of what magnitude remains to be seen.
Although the Pipelines Act, 1962, became law in the summer it has not yet been brought into effect. However, as our Political Correspondent reports on page 9 of this issue, the Minister of Power is expected soon to issue the necessary Order. As "The Commercial Motor" revealed last week, a consortium of oil companies is already planning a trunk pipeline for its own use. This, if it comes about, could very well result in a drop in C-licensed vehicles at present engaged in carrying those petroleum products; but the effect on hauliers would be small—except that a potential outlet for some contract work would be sealed off.
Much more potentially threatening is the prospect of a commereiaily-operated trunk pipe network from Thames to Mersey, which would be capable of carrying a multiplicity of loads—not all of them necessarily only liquids. Of course, it may be that the much bigger threat is to rail traffic than road; but hauliers should be aware of the possibilities, both of this and other commercial trunk pipelines capable of developing such transport for more and more commodities.