June 1 set for 3-licence shake-u
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NLY 11 weeks are left before environmental factors will be considvd in new operator licensing applications. The new system takes fect from June 1, reports ALAN MILLAR.
As we forecast a month ago 'M, February 11), the May 1 tart date for implementing the ange, using powers contained the 1982 Transport Act, has en missed, and the Departent of Transport and environental groups are preparing the erature they will need for the stem to function.
All applications for 0-licences the hands of LAs by May 31 ll be considered on the existg criteria, but from June applints will need to satisfy the LA at their operations do not use a nuisance to people livg near the depot.
They will need to specify the imber, type and size of their vn vehicles using a site, the nes vehicles will operate, and hether there is adequate on:e parking for the entire fleet. Established operators have en assured that their busiisses will be protected for as ng as no material change is ade to the way they operate. is means that existing nuiInces they create will not be a stification for loss or curtailent of an 0-licence, provided e nuisance does not increase terJune 1.
LAs are also required to take count of planning permission ready granted for a transport tse, to avoid the risk of their /er-ruling decisions already ken by planning authorities. Operators will also be reiired to place advertisements local newspapers, detailing eir plans, in order to alert resiKits to the possible effects on eir lives.
The delay in introducing the 3w system was partly to make ire that the more detailed 0:ence application forms and a uch revised guide to the 0:ensing system could be ready time.
A draft guide is at an advanced age of preparation and will be nt to trade associations and affic Area offices within the xt week. Work on radically al-ed forms has taken longer, t they will be printed by the end of next month.
The DTp sent draft forms to a small sample of operators as well as the trade associations and Traffic Areas, and has simplified the draft to take account of their observations. The language has been amended to remove jargon.
All applicants will be required to fill in a revised GV79 application form, which will be a different colour (possibly green) from the yellow form used for the present system, and supplementary forms are being issued to answer environmental and financial questions. The two-to-three page GV79E environmental form, which will only be sent to applicants if an environmental objection is lodged, will cover details of parking arrangements as specified in the regulations.
The two-page GV79F financial form — half the length of the DTp's first draft — will be used by those LAs seeking details of the financial standing of applicants for standard 0-licences. It will be used in place of individual forms used by most LAs, but which are designed by them.
All of the forms, and the 0licensing guide, will be on probation, and the DTp will review their effectiveness at the end of the year with a view to revising them then.
The Freight Transport Association is running a series of seminars to acquaint its members with their responsibilities in running the system, and its director-general designate, Garry Turvey, told CM last week that other plans are in the pipeline for helping operators.
On the other side of the argument, the environmental groups are making their plans to help objectors, and Transport 2000 executive director Susan Hoyle said a guidance leaflet would be ready within a month. It is being prepared by a volunteer.