B.T.C. Oppose Extension of Radius
Page 35
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QTRONG opposition from the British Transport Commission resulted in only partial success for Messrs. F. J. Mellor,
Orchard Field, Reservoir Road, Whaley Bridge, when they applied to increase their operative radius for four B-licensed vehicles, at Macclesfield, on Monday.
For the applicants, Mr. J. Backhouse said that they wished to carry building and road.construction materials within 75 miles and solid fuels within 50 miles. At present they were limited to 25 miles. About a sixth of Mellor's traffic came from Musker Bros., Ltd., Swinton, Manchester. Like many other customers they wanted Mellor to carry to various destinations including Burnley, Accrington, Rugby, Llandudno, Hull and Doncaster.
Mr, C. Watling, manager of Musker Bros., manufacturers of concrete beams, said that they often had difficulty in obtaining adequate transport facilities.
Many carriers had been approached and this traffic was unsuitable for rail transport. Evidence was given by one other customer witness in respect of solid fuel.
It was pointed out by Mr. F. Johnson, a commercial representative of British Railways, that they were interested in all the traffic mentioned in the application. They had substantial customers for all these commodities.
A 50-mile radius would give access to the biggest coalfield in the country and involved highly competitive goods. In final submission Mr. P. Kershaw, for the B.T.C., said that.if there were difficulties in carrying solid fuels and construction materials numerous hauliers would have been approached.
Mr. A. H. Jolliffe, North Western Deputy Licensing Authority, gave the applicants permission to carry within 75 miles for Musker Bros., but refused the rest of the application_