The committee investigated the perception, current in the 1930s, that the safety, pricing and operating regulations that applied to the railways had left them at an unfair disadvantage when compared to the road haulage industry, which was unregulated.
It noted that the railway system, then organised into several regional companies, probably had no need for many of the small branch lines and services, as motor transport had shown itself to be more efficient for local deliveries.
The government adopted the committee's recommendations in 1933 when the Minister for Transport, Oliver Stanley, introduced new speed limits with the Road Traffic Act 1934 and a licensing system for commercial heavy goods vehicles and their operators.
[3] The new charges were blamed for driving heavier steam traction off the road in favour of the lighter lorries powered by internal combustion engines using imported oil.
[5] It was planned that the new charges on vehicles and petrol duties would contribute the £60 million needed annually for the Road Fund, and more besides in order to pay more of the social costs associated with motor traffic.
[6] The UK railway infrastructure held its ground as a freight and passenger system for many decades; this could be compared with countries such as the USA where road transport was allowed to gain a critical mass.