Safety watchdog gets green light

The woman responsible for ensuring the safety of Oldham’s buses and lorries has won a battle with the Government over her independence.

Beverley Bell, watchdog for 1,500 psv operators and 15,000 goods operators in the North-West, was threatening to stop holding public inquiries at her base in Golborne, near Wigan.

The move came after the country’s senior traffic commissioner Philip Brown revealed plans to make Britain’s seven commissioners report on a number of matters to the chief executive of Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) as well as the transport secretary.

Mrs Bell, in the post for the last decade, adjourned two appeals last month and said she was considering her position.

Bristol-based Western traffic commissioner Sarah Bell backed her namesake and also adjourned a hearing for the same reason.

The Road Haulage Association joined the debate and called on the DfT, VOSA and Traffic Commissioners to resolve any confusion.

The commissioners had argued that there was a danger of VOSA being seen to have undue influence on decisions in cases when its officials appear as witnesses.

But after top-level talks, Mrs Bell said: “There have now been discussions between the DfT and the senior traffic commissioner.

“I have had confirmation that there is no wish to make any changes to my independent status and the senior traffic commissioner will be revising his policy document. It is business as usual.”

Mrs Bell had made a veiled reference to the dispute when she addressed members of Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority about her role, saying that sometimes “I have to throw my teddy out of the pram.”