News

A government consultation on controversial proposals to reform the traffic commissioner system has been launched.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has published its consultation document: Strengthening Local Delivery - Modernising the traffic commissioner system, outlining two main options for the future of the post.

The first option suggests maintaining more or less the current structure with  eight regional traffic commissioners.

The senior traffic commissioner would have a new statutory role, to promote "consistency across the network," with the power to issue directions and guidance to the traffic commissioners.

Option two proposes two newly created posts - director o-licensing and director bus.

They would report to a newly created Board of Traffic Commissioners and could, at the discretion of the chair, sit on the board.

The post of senior traffic commissioner would be retained as a statutory post.

The DfT says traffic commissioners, under option two, would "retain their wholly independent status in relation to their quasi judicial making role."

The document suggests the possible introduction of time limited, reviewable contracts, for any future traffic commissioners.

The consultation process on the proposals is due to close on October 15.

James Hookham, FTA Director of Policy and Deputy Chief Executive, says:

"We will be studying the proposals with our members to check that the Commissioners' judicial powers, that can be exercised independently of the Government, are protected.

"We must avoid a situation where traffic commissioners become mere vassels of the Secretary of State.

"This a unique and cherished part of the British truck licensing system paid for by operators, with a good safety record that demonstrates its effectiveness."