Transport Select Committee member also praises Transport for London’s willingness to work with sector
A Member of Parliament’s Transport Select Committee has welcomed Government moves to recognise self-regulation by vehicle recovery operators.
Labour MP Rob Flello spoke after a senior adviser at the Department for Transport (DfT) said officials wanted to develop the industry’s Recovery Standard rather than force it to accept the DfT’s Operator Licence.
Mr Flello, who is Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freight Transport, said: “I really welcome the DfT’s announcement that it is prepared to recognise self-regulation by the industry rather than impose the O-licence, which doesn’t fit the way the sector works.
“Make no mistake, this is fantastic news. Of course, more work needs to be done, not least in terms of protecting those operating under the Standard from being undercut by those who don’t demonstrate the same level of professionalism.”
The MP spoke after Mark Heverin, the DfT’s Senior Policy Adviser for Operator Licensing, addressed delegates at this year’s Tow Show Business Seminar, an event chaired by Mr Flello at Telford International Conference Centre.
Reporting on the Government’s recent Operator Licence consultation, the Dft official said he was “impressed” with the industry’s work on self-regulation.
He added: “We want to work with the European Rescue and Recovery Initiative (ERRI) and the Federation of Vehicle Recovery Operators (FoVRA) to develop the Recovery Standard . . . to make it fit for purpose.”
Mr Flello said he was delighted to have played a part in bringing the industry together and urged members to continue working with the DfT until they reached a final agreement.
During the Tow Show, the MP also welcomed Transport for London’s (TfL) willingness to form a working party with operators to examine challenges to their work in London, such as access, congesting charging and low emissions.
The development followed a meeting of senior officials and an industry group led by operator Richard Goddard.
Rob Flello said: “I’m really pleased TfL’s presentation to the last meeting of the Freight Transport Group acted as the catalyst for further discussions about recognising the recovery sector as London’s fourth emergency service.
“Recognising the key role the industry plays in clearing the capital’s blocked roads swiftly and professionally, and addressing the obstacles it faces in doing so, is vitally important.”
