Response from David Wells, Chief Executive of Logistics UK, re DVSA comments

Wednesday 25 November 2020

In response to remarks made by Gareth Llewellyn, outgoing head of the DVSA in front of the Commons Transport Select Committee today (25 November 2020), David Wells, Chief Executive of Logistics UK, said:

“To say the Traffic Commissioner service is ‘anachronistic’ and the haulage industry does not need its support totally ignores the huge benefits in safety and compliance which the service provides to the sector. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Traffic Commissioners supported industry to keep goods and services flowing to keep the country running, unlike DVSA, which closed down all its services and only reacted to the urgent needs of operators when pushed by industry.  The Traffic Commissioners kept their doors open to assist the work of our members throughout 2020 – a modern and forward-thinking approach, and not one rooted in the 20th century, as Mr Llewellyn claimed.” 

Logistics UK (formerly FTA) is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With COVID-19, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.