NE Commissioner will target checks
Page 6
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by Juliet Parish • New North Eastern Traffic Commissioner Keith Waterworth plans to improve the "rocky relationship" which he says existed between hauliers and his predecessor Fred Whalley.
Waterworth, the former Scottish Traffic Commissioner, took over from Whalley last autumn. He told delegates at the Road Haulage Association North Eastern district meeting last weekend: "I want to adopt an open approach". He also wants to "ensure opprators get the best value for money out of the 0licensing system". Under Waterworth's leadership the North East will make the most of its resources by targeting ports, construction sites and seasonal traffic instead of relying on random roadside checks.
The Road Haulage Association welcomes this move: "It sounds more effective than going though the old business routine of roadside checks with everyone avoiding them," says RHA North East district manager Geoff Dunning.
Waterworth warned operators that the 0-licence fee structure is being reviewed, alongside other changes to the system such as continuous 0-licences and a requirement that hauliers display notices of licence applications at their sites as well as in the local press.