All change for TC regime, says DfT

By Chris Tindall

A review into the function of the traffic commissioners (TCs) has recommended they are replaced with one independent tribunal body headed up by a statutory president role.

The DfT’s report into the work of the TCs also proposed overhauling the current fee structure in order that the operating deficit is removed and enabling it to be fully funded through the fees it charges.

Additionally, it recommended addressing the traffic commissioner title and whether it should be changed to better reflect the role.

The 12 recommendations followed a public consultation into the health and effectiveness of their function.

It suggested that the DfT proceeded with a change to allow the TCs to make tribunal rules, including cost orders: “With increased powers, the TCs would be better able to manage their hear- ings, which should make them both more effective and more efficient in the longer term,” the report said.

“Further, these powers would also demonstrate the independence of the function and bring it more in line with other tribunal jurisdictions.”

The report said consolidating the eight TCs into one body would make managing the organisation less complex, while replacing the senior TC with a president would improve governance arrangements and clarify lines of accountability.

A recommendation was also made to employ a chief operating officer to manage the OTC staff and engage across a wide range of stakeholders.

Pallet sector rides wave of B2C growth

The pallet network sector saw a 6.3% volume growth in the first quarter of 2023, compared with the same period in 2019, with 7 million pallets delivered and B2C demand up by 32%.

Paul Sanders, chairman of the Association of Pallet Networks, said Q1 data indicated a “strong and encouraging” start to the year.

He added that the sector is also witnessing “significant and lasting” shifts in customer preference since 2019, pointing to a growth in home deliveries of 32% since Q1 2019. This, in turn, has driven an increase in the use of quarter pallets, which is up 11%.

However, inflationary factors, including higher energy and finance costs, are also visible, Sanders noted, with the use of economy services growing by 21%.