Newcastle Receives Report on Scheme
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THIS week Newcastle-on-Tyne City Council received a report explaining the reasons why the transport and parliamentary committees have recommended the council to oppose the northern area scheme for road passenger transport. It is thought that the committee's report will not be discussed until the next meeting of the council on October 19.
The principal argument is that the municipal transport system is being run more efficiently than would be possible under nationalization.
A saving of 70. on the Eston rates would be the result of the Government's taking over the' Teesside Railless Traction Board, according to Coon. J. Finegan, speaking at a recent meeting of the council's general purposes committee.
In 1941 the income from the Board's services had provided a rate subsidy of Is. 2d. a year, but by 1948 the contribution had fallen to 5d. This year it had become a burden on the rates of 70., with a possible increase to Is, 2d. next _year. It was stated that the Board's assets amounted to £220,565 and the council's share of any realization would amount to two-thirds of this sum.
Meetings have been held by the corporations of Newcastle-on-Tyne, West Hartlepool and Darlington regard-. ing the proposed scheme. All three bodies are opposed to the principle of nationalization.