Massive A-variation bid by British Railways
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AN application by British Railways, Manchester, to replace 65 light articulated vehicles with 16 heavy articulated vehicles was heard in part at Manchester last week. The hearing was adjourned before the applicant's case could be concluded.
The gross unladen weight of the 65 vehicles being replaced is 163+ tons, and of the 16 replacement vehicles, 148+ tons. This application has attracted a number of road operators who failed to reach agreement with BR through the Road Rail Negotiating Committee. The road operators fear that this move will have a serious effect on their attempts to obtain Freightliner traffic in Manchester.
A BR spokesman told COMMERCIAL MOTOR this week that the basic attitude of the Railways Board had not changed: Freightliner traffic would he derived in part from private hauliers. But despite the fact that the NUR were now prepared to allow hired transport to use Freightliner depots, there was no sign that they would permit private hauliers to operate there.
The case is unlikely to be reopened before mid-August.