FTA fury over 0-Licence shambles
Page 6
Page 7
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• "A monumental waste of time" is the Freight Transport Association's damning reaction to Government delays in changing operator licensing.
Despite supporting the longawaited plans, which include Life-time licences, the FTA has hit out at the Department of Transport's decision not to implement its changes to the 0Licence scheme before the next general election.
"We are staggered that ministers should have proceeded with these reviews without knowing when the necessary slot for the resulting primary legislation would be available," says FTA director general Garry Turvey. "We are now being told nothing will happen for at least four years."
He continues: "Given the acceptance by Transport Minis ter Robert Atkins that there is much that needs to be put right with the operator licensing system, it is amazing the legislation timetable does not enable these problems to be rectified. Vehicle operators and FTA members will, as a result, have to live with a flawed system for many years to come." The DTp admits that it "has no idea" when the changes could come into force. But it claims it has already drafted one 0-Licence change, which does not require Commons approval, and this could be in place before the end of this year. The plan is for a voluntary code of practice, to improve maintenance standards.
However, most of the Government 0-Licence changes will require legislation. These include O Continuous licensing for HGV and PSV operators E Allowing operators to hold more than one licence per traffic area
111 Simplification of takeover 'procedures
LJ Rationalisation of fee collection arrangements
0 Introduction of specific vehicle-licences for PSVs LI Improvements to environmental provisions applying to operating centres.
The FTA has also criticised the "lack of uniformity in the handling of 0-Licensing between traffic areas, and poor levels of day-to-day service in traffic area offices". It welcomes the appointment of Senior Commissioner MajorGeneral John Carpenter (see page 63) but says: "It is doubtful whether noticeable improvements will be forthcoming, given that the Senior Commissioner will only act in an advisory capacity."
The Road Haulage Association has welcomed the 0Licence programme, but regets the removal of full-time employment requirements for Certificate of Professional Competence holders.
RHA director-general Bryan Colley says: "I fear for the maintenance of safety and good operating standards in the industry. It is a retrograde step to abandon the direct full-time supervisory requirement, even at a time when the CPC procedure itself is attracting adverse criticism and allegations of cheating. The law needs strengthening and this will only serve to weaken it."
O The removal of some licensing controls from smaller HGV and PSV operators has attracted criticism from many trade sources — and now the DTp says it will "reflect further" on these proposals.