Welsh files re-moved
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• Operator licensing files on hauliers in North Wales are set to be moved to the Birmingham Traffic Area Office, only three years after being moved from the Manchester office to Leeds.
The latest proposals for reorganisation follow a Government decision to give Wales its own traffic area, in line with plans for creating the new National Assembly for Wales. But administration for the new traffic area will be centralised in Birmingham.
Operator licensing for hauliers in South Wales is already administered in Birmingham: Senior Traffic Commissioner Michael Betts says the move is in line with the Government's policy of devolution while taking account of "cost-effectiveness".
The Cardiff Traffic Area Office closed in 1996 when the previous government also closed the Manchester office.
David Dixon, the current IC for the South Wales and West Midland traffic areas, is likely to become responsible for Wales. 111 Operators wishing to comment on the proposals should respond to the Department of Transport by 1March.