Former South Eastern and Metropolitan traffic commissioner Christopher Heaps has marked his early retirement on April 30 with a stinging criticism of VOSA.
Heaps, who is being replaced by Western TC Philip Brown, issued a press release slamming VOSA's proposals to transfer TC support staff from local offices to a central office in Leeds, which he says has meant the transfer of power to grant licences from the TCs to VOSA.
Heaps says: "Power without responsibility may be dangerous but probably enjoyable to the person exercising the power: responsibility without power is dangerous and unacceptable, as has been demonstrated by decisions already having been made in my name in Leeds by staff to whom I have not delegated any power whatsoever."
"I am not prepared to put my name to licences in respect of which I have had little (if any) control," he adds.
The Office of the Traffic Commissioners responds: "Mr Heaps' comments do not represent the views of the traffic commissioners. The traffic commissioners are working with VOSA on the transition to a centralised location for processing licence applications. Where issues arise in respect to licence applications they will continue to be forwarded to the traffic commissioners for review as has always been the case."
Year: 2003 | Body Type: Tipper | Registration: C151103 | Category: Trailers | Make: Fruehauf
Year: 2016 | Body Type: Tractor Unit | Cab Type: Crewcab | Registration: YJ66VSY | Mileage: 111,465 km | Power: 7,698 bhp
Year: 2013 | Body Type: Tipper | Cab Type: Day | Registration: YJ13 FBC | Category: Rigids
