Exeter decision reversed
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• Bus operators challenging Devon General's supremacy in Exeter received a blow last week when the High Court overturned the local council's decision to allow longer vehicles in the city's high street.
But City of Oxford Motor Services, which is preparing to move into Exeter (CM 15-21 February) is not daunted, despite having invested 2750,000 in new Optare vehicles which are banned by the restriction.
"The court has not ruled against longer vehicles per se, but took the decision because the council's procedure was
technically incorrect," says Oxford operations director David Beaman.
An extraordinary meeting of the county council's planning and transportation committee on 8 March will again discuss revising traffic regulations to allow 7.3m vehicles into the high street.
Beaman admits Oxford wants a quick solution: "We're hoping this will be resolved quickly — at the latest by the end of May. If not, we'll have to consider redeploying the new vehicles elsewhere. It's in the lap of the gods." Devon General chairman Harry Blundred is heartened by the court decision; City of Oxford are unlikely to get a reapplication for the Exeter routes in less than six months. But Blundred is not calling off economy measures planned by Devon General to face its competitors. City routes have been reorganised, saving the company some £200,000 a year. The 12 redundant drivers will all be redeployed. "We won't be going ahead with the Heathrow-Oxford service unless Oxford Motor Services makes another move."