Bus Service. Could Replace Branch Line
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A LTHOUGH the railways were clos ing the Skelmersdale-Rainford Junction branch line, a bus service could be operated economically by Messrs. Gregsons Motors, Skelmersdale‘ by dove-tailing it with their workpeople's services. This was stated by Mr. E. A. Whitehead, for Gregsons, when they applied to the North Western Traffic Commissioners at Lykham St. Annes last week for a short-term licence to run stage-carriage services to Rainford and St. Helens.
The application was supported by the local authority and other organizations
in Skelmersdale. There were objections from Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., and Lancashire United Transport, Ltd.
Mr. W. B. Gregson, in evidence, said that the branch line would close on November 5. Local people would then have to go to Ormskirk or Orrell to take a bus. Cross-examined by Mr. F. D. Walker, for the objectors, Mr. Gregson said that he had no intention at present of applying to pick up or set down between Rainford and St. Helens in competition with the . objectors' existing services.
The application was granted by the Commissioners.
"FLOAT ROAD LOAN NOW," SAYS MR. BOND THE Government should at once authorize a £500m. road loan to be placed under the control of a national highway authority, Mr. S. C. Bond, president of the Traders' Road Transport Association, suggested at the annual dinner of the Yorkshire (Hull and East Riding) Division at Hull last week.
Referring to the £250m. loan to the railways, he said that this was "a wonderful piece of news and I am all in favour of it. But why not do something similar for the roads, on which it is notorious that the expenditure is pitiful by comparison?"