The Isle of Man has taken its first step towards introducing an operator licensing system by appointing a consultant to draft the legislation. Transport lawyer Murray Oliver will oversee the formation of new laws on the licensing of HGV operators and be responsible to the island's Department of Transport rather than Vosa - which has no jurisdiction on the Isle of Man.
Pressure on the government to enact legislation has been growing
since 13-year-old racing cyclist James Berry was struck and killed by a wheel that came off a tipper truck operated by Island Drainage and Groundworks in 2006. Two mechanics were later cleared of manslaughter. Now the Isle of Man government has employed Oliver to "draft subordinate legislation". He is one of only a few road transport lawyers who also holds his HGV C+E and PSV D+E licences.
Oliver was unable to comment on what his role will entail or how long it will take, but a spokesman for the Department of Transport says: "The regulations have not been drafted by the Department due to the Road Transport Licensing Commission being fully involved in implementing the Isle of Man taxi legislation. "Murray is drafting the bare bones. Following consultation it will got forward as proposed legislation."
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