Kevin Rooney appointed new senior traffic commissioner
New STC Kevin Rooney, speaking at a Logistics UK event last year
The transport secretary has announced that West of England traffic commissioner (TC) Kevin Rooney will take the reins as senior traffic commissioner (STC) from 1 June – a role he will undertake in addition to his existing position.
Mr Rooney, who has overseen the Western traffic area for 13 years, will now also oversee the work of his colleagues in the TC team.
He brings extensive knowledge to the role from his time at the Vehicle Inspectorate and Vehicle & Operator Services Agency (VOSA) – the predecessor agencies to the current Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) – where he managed the introduction of MOT emission and diesel smoke tests, and led a drive to upgrade enforcement processes.
Mr Rooney will fill the boots of current STC Richard Turfitt, who departs the role following the conclusion of his second four-year term.
Mr Turfitt’s tenure has seen him steer the TCs and industry through a challenging period as it faced significant changes resulting from Brexit – which saw him work on the drafting of statutory guidance on contingency measures that aimed to safeguard UK operators’ access to the EU.
This was followed by the upheaval of the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to innovations such as virtual hearings and adoption of digital technologies to enable the TCs to maintain critical services.
Interventions by STC Turfitt have included the issue of a letter to all HGV and PSV operator licence holders in 2020, warning them of the possibility of regulatory action and loss of their operator licences should they fail to take appropriate measures to prevent bridge strikes.
Announcing the new appointment, the transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: “I’m delighted to confirm Kevin Rooney as the new STC.
“He arrives with a wealth of experience from his time as TC for the West of England and we’re all excited to see him build on the fantastic work of his predecessor, Richard Turfitt.
“I’d like to extend my thanks to Richard for his two full terms of service in the role, during which he has seen the team through the difficult pandemic period, and wish him the very best for the future, as he returns to his vital role as traffic commissioner for the East of England.”
Kevin Rooney said his appointment as STC was a “great privilege”.
“I want to pay tribute to Richard Turfitt and the work he has done as senior traffic commissioner for the past eight years.
“Arguably, he led the commissioners through some of the toughest times we have seen during the pandemic, making quick decisions to keep the haulage and passenger industries working compliantly and to facilitate service recovery thereafter.
“Following in his footsteps will not be easy, but I look forward to that challenge, working equally closely with those who support commissioners and those we serve.”
Richard Turfitt added: “I am pleased that the work of traffic commissioners is being recognised.
“It has been humbling to hold this judicial leadership role at times of crisis and to then be able to help the many responsible operators, transport managers and drivers who make up the regulated industries.
“It is undoubtedly a challenging and often isolating role, which requires support from officials, colleagues, tribunal and licensing staff and stakeholders to be effective.
“The working relationship with professional bodies and trade representatives has proved invaluable to serving Great Britain and in securing the safety of road transport.
“I look forward to continuing and supporting Kevin in that work, as he takes up the mantle.”
