More Goods But Same Bus Traffic
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vVHEN figures for a traffic count taken in August last year on trunk and class 1 roads in England and Wales were compared with those for a 1954 census, it was found that the number of goods vehicles was 7 per cent. greater, but that the number of buses and coaches remained almost unchanged. There were 28 per cent. more private cars.
The smallest overall increase occurred in London, whereas all other divisions recorded rises of at least 10 per cent., that in the south-west being 36 per cent.
During the week of last year's census, the distance travelled by all vehicles was estimated at over 600m. miles, of which about 100m. was on the Saturday. Slightly under half of the total vehicle mileage was on urban roads, and the remainder on rural roads.
Goods traffic accounted for about 30 per cent, of the vehicle mileage on weekdays..
T.U.C. WANT ROAD STUDY
THE general council of the Trades Union Congress have asked the Government to establish a committee to report on the road problem. The council believe that insufficient is being done to improve the roads.
It is proposed that the suggested committee should assess the economic loss sustained by industry because of inadequate roads, and recommend how it could be reduced.
The T.U.C. are supported in this move by employers represented on the National Production Advisory Council on Industry, and the chairmen of the • Regional Boards for Industry.
RAILWAYS LOSE TRAFFIC
THE railways appear to have lost all the extra goods traffic that they gained during fuel rationing. Total freight revenue from British Railways in the four weeks to May 19 was £26,010,000, compared with £27,718,000 in the corresponding period of last year. The British Transport Commission's total receipts from freight, parcels and .mails dropped from £32,239,000 to £30,194,000.
Passenger revenue from the railways, London Transport, bus companies and ships, rose from £19,980,000 to £213.940,000.
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