Beverley Bell (General Publicity)

Senior traffic commissioner (TC) and TC for the North West Beverley Bell is to step down next year.

Bell is to continue in her current roles until spring 2017 after being re-appointed by the DfT for another 12 months.

However, she does not intend to seek reappointment next year.

She said: “In reflecting on my work as STC I feel that real progress has been made in challenging times for traffic commissioners and operators alike.

"I consider that, next spring, the time will be right for the future challenges of fee and legislative reform to be taken forward under new leadership.

Bell became TC for the North West in 2000 and senior TC in 2012, replacing Philip Brown who retired in 2011.

A spokesman for the Office of the Traffic Commissioner said the DfT will decide who her successor will be.

Bell said of her role as North West TC: “Since my appointment as TC I have thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this important role and there is no doubt that I shall miss the cut and thrust of the public inquiry room as well as attending stakeholder events."

She said the TCs will continue to concentrate on reducing the burden on the compliant industry and targeting the serially and seriously non compliant operators over the next 12 months.