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WTD review will improve guidance
Page 6
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:luidance notes will be clarified and enforcement beefed up — to the )Ieasure of trade associations, Roanna Avison and Dylan Gray report.
REVIEW OF THE Working me Directive (WTD) by the apartment for Transport (DtT) 11 result in updated guidance Ites and greater enforcement wri Vosa.
The WTD came into force in 05 and the DfT found that while :.re was a general understanding the regulations among transport magers and drivers, there was LI uncertainty about the interpreion of what constitutes 'periods availability'. It also found that forcement of the WTD was not a ;It priority for Vosa, the government now plans to asult the industry to clarify its idance notes. particularly conming periods of availability. Vosa will also include WTD 'T]ie review found there was not really an issue with the WTD. Initially we were concerned about the regulations and extra cost of implementing them, but the industry has borne that and got on with it.We're pleased the DfT has left the regulations as they are and not thrown everything up in the air again.
"We will be happy to take part in the consultation to improve the guidance notes and communicate the legislation better."
The FTA also welcomes Vosa's agreement to enforce the WTD and report any offences to TCs.
Ruth Pott, the Road Haulage Association's director of employment affairs,says:"We greatly welcome the decision that no changes are to be made and are pleased enforcement and guidance will be improved. We are very pleased that the uncertainty hanging over the regulations has gone;it's been a huge exercise."
However, the United Road Transport Union (URTU) was less impressed with the review.
Bob Monks, URTU general secre tary, says: "Whilst improved enforcement of the current law is welcome, the review has failed to tackle 'head on' the abuse of periods of availability that currently exists within the industry. Working with theTUC, the URTU is seeking an urgent meeting with the government's Transport Minister to urge them to address this"
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