Too far removed, Tribunal told
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• The National Freight Corporation on Wednesday appealed to the Transport Tribunal against the decision of the North Western deputy LA to grant an A licence on May 28 to Thomas Brothers (Removals) Ltd, of Wrexham. The licence granted was for the variation from a B to an A licence for eight tippers and 25 trailers with conditions to carry general goods, removals and effects within 150 miles radius of base.
Mr J. S. Lawton, representing the NFC, said little evidence had been produced to show that the vehicles were being fully occupied or that future business was likely to increase, it was submitted that existing earnings did not warrant the granting of the A licence.
Mr Lawton also said that at the time of the inquiry, in May, considerable doubt existed as to whether Thomas Brothers were in fact using the vehicles within the conditions of the B licence that they held at that time. Several customers supporting the A licence application at the inquiry had said that goods carried for them by Thomas Brothers were transported "all over the country" and not within the 150 miles conditioned on the licence. One customer had noted that Thomas Brothers carried to Croydon-172 miles from base.
Thomas Brothers were represented by Mr G. H. P. Beanes who said that a certain degree of latitude was allowed regarding the distance travelled by a vehicle on a particular conditioned licence, provided that it was not a regular occurrence. The deputy LA had been correct in granting the licence.. as applied for, because of the supporting evidence of need provided by five trader witnesses, some of whom had also said that the services offered by the NFC (BRS) were too expensive. There was, said Mr Beanes, a lack of any rebutting evidence on behalf of the objectors.
The decision of the Tribunal will be given in writing.