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Top TC calls for a change to full-time CPC holders
Page 7
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• by Mlles Brignall Senior Traffic Commissioner Michael Betts wants every haulage company to have a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) holder on the premises full time, and he supports the introduction of continuous CPC training, Writing in the Traffic Commissioners annual report, Betts also makes a case for giving residents who object to operating centres the right to appeal.
The report warns that up to 25% of the trucks on UK roads are operated without the direct control of a CPC-trained person. Although Betts does not refer to it directly, he implies that he wants to outlaw the use of outside CPC holders who, for a fee, act as the company's transport manager on paper but have little to do with the day-to-day running of vehicles.
Betts writes: "Furthermore no transport managers are ever required to update their qualifications with the result that many have practised for a very long time (some still holding their qualifications obtained through grandfathers' rights) without being required to keep up-to-date." TC Tom Macartney adds: "I give notice of my intention to scrutinise closely any future applications involving agency-provided transport managers."
Betts also stresses in the report "a need to improve the notification" of proposed operating centres. And controversially, he suggests that "it may be time" for residents who have opposed a haulier's application to be given a right to appeal against a TC's decision.
Betts concludes his introduction to the report with an appeal to the Department of Transport not to cut staff levels at Traffic Area Offices once the TAN21 computer system is fully operational. He describes staff levels at TAOs as "very tight" and says: "A handful of extra permanent staff in some offices would make such a difference to our effectiveness."