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NI 0-licence regulator should be 'independent'

10th December 2009
Page 10
Page 10, 10th December 2009 — NI 0-licence regulator should be 'independent'
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THE NEW regulator of Northern Ireland's 0-licensing system must be given the same independence as Traffic Commissioners (TC) working in the rest of the UK, industry experts argue.

Tom Wilson, Freight Transport Association (FTA) head of policy for Northern Ireland, believes it is vital the role is "wholly independent of enforcement agencies" to ensure a fair and transparent judicial system.

The Goods Vehicle (Licensing of Operators) Bill, which will create a new transport regulator and regulators' office in the province, as well as extend 0-licensing to own-account nperators, is expected to receive Royal Assent later this month. The regulator will have all the powers of a TC in Great Britain, including the power to issue, vary, refuse or curtail an 0-licence, and to issue interim 0-licences.

Testing and compliance issues in Northern Ireland will continue to be dealt with by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) a government agency of the Department of Environment Northern Ireland (DOENI), Wilson argues: ivii some of the challenges faced by DOENI to manage the workload of processing 0-licence applications, they would do well to seek assistance from the experienced regulatory network in Great Britain and link up with its tried-and-tested 0-licence systems."

Phil Flanders, Road Haulage Association (RHA) head of policy for Northern Ireland, hopes that the position-holder will be "fully independent," and that the post is advertised in the same way that vacancies for Ts in England, Scotland and Wales are.

He also believes they should have the same powers.

He continues: 1t is my hope that the regulator will not be subject to any political or departmental i nterference.

A spokesman for the DVA tells CM that the transport regulator's office will be set up by the DOE, but that no decision has been taken yet regarding the filling of posts for the office.

• Turn to page 30 for more on 0-licensing in Northern Ireland.


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