Out-of-peak-hour Distribution Problems
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THE " social problem" posed if commercial vehicles make collections and deliveries at night is discussed by Mr. H. R. Featherstone, national secretary of the Traders' Road Transport Association. in the T.R.T.A. Bulletin.
The suggestion has been made that trade and industry should help to alleviate traffic problems by carrying out distribution out of peak hours, particularly. at night, says Mr. Featherstone. The Association has been advocating such action whenever it was practicable for several years past.
But, he adds, the scope far readjustment is necessarily limited, particularly so far as night deliveries are concerned.
"Deliveries require not only drivers but staff at both dispatch and receipt points. Will the staff be available and, admittedly a secondary issue, can their a6 night employment, say in small shops. be an economic proposition?
"The social problem does not end there. Staffs on night duty must get to and from work and that presupposes adequate public transport. They have to eat, which involves night catering facilities.
"And so the various aspects accumulate and the full ramifications of what is essentially a social problem begin to be seen."
Mr. Featherstone, saying that a very considerable adjustment in the British mode of life would be necessary to achieve anything substantial in the way of night deliveries, adds that the failure to make any material impression on the London peak-hour traffic problem by means of staggering hours highlighted the same sort of difficulties.