Traffic tsar opens new office in N.Wales

TRAFFIC Commissioner for Wales has opened a new office in the north.

Developed thanks to a partnership between the Welsh Government and Gwynedd Council, it means the Commissioner will now be able to work from Caernarfon as well as her office in Cardiff.

Based at Gwynedd Council’s Penrallt building, it is shared with a small team of bilingual staff working for the Driver Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and will have three permanent members of staff.

AMs had been critical of delays in the previous commissioner setting up a Wales-based office, having previously covered both Wales and the West Midlands from Birmingham.

Minister for North Wales Ken Skates, who officially opened the office on Thursday, said: “I am extremely pleased to see that the Traffic Commissioner now has an office in Caernarfon as well as in Cardiff.

“This ensures that the Traffic Commissioner is within easy reach to the whole of Wales.

“It’s good to see local bilingual staff working here.

“It benefits the local economy and also allows people to contact the Traffic Commissioner’s office in their preferred language.”

The responsibilities of the Traffic Commissioner include the licensing of the operators of Heavy Goods Vehicles and of buses and coaches known as Public Service Vehicles, the registration of local bus services and granting vocational licences and taking action against drivers of HGVs and PSVs.

Victoria Davies, who was appointed in January after replacing Nick Jones as Traffic Commissioner for Wales, said: “The opening of the new OTC office in Caernarfon will enhance our ability to provide a bilingual service to the people of Wales.”

Gwynedd Council Cabinet Member for property, Councillor Craig ab Iago, said: “As well as being a welcome boost to the local economy, it also ensures that people throughout the country will be able to receive the services they require through the medium of Welsh.”