A photographic print of Industry, Fuel & Power - Coal, Depots & Dumps

18.12.1963. NEW COAL DISTRIBUTION CENTRE OPENED AT WEST DRAYTON. MR. RICHARD WOOD, former Minister of Fuel and Power, today opened a coal depot at West Drayton. The depot is the first to instrument a new system of coal distribution that has been worked out by LORD ROBENS, Chairman of the Coal Board. DR. BEECHING, Chairman of British Railways, and the Coal Merchants Federation. Instead of the coal being brought from the collieries to railway sidings for collection by merchants, it will in future be carried in block trains and concentrated in these large depots which will serve areas in London and other large cities. The West Drayton depot takes the place of 22 small depots within an eight mile radius. PHOTO SHOWS - A view of the hoppers where the coal merchants fill and load the coal. KEYSTONE JW/764306 Industry - Fuel & Power - Coal - Depots & Dumps