New NI Traffic Regulator announced at FTA event

The new Head of the Northern Ireland Transport Regulation Unit Donna Knowles attended the Freight Transport Association (FTA) annual Transport Manager Conference held in Belfast today.

Chairing the event was FTA’s Policy & Membership Relations Manager for Northern Ireland Seamus Leheny who said:

"FTA was delighted to welcome Donna Knowles as the new Head of the Transport Regulation Unit in NI at our annual Transport Manager event. Her being here today is a clear indication that she is keen to become engaged with our industry and members alike, and we look forward to working with her in the future."

Ms Knowles was formerly at the Department of Justice and will take over her post at the DOE on Tuesday 1 April, 2014, replacing Donald Armstrong who was speaking at the FTA conference this morning.

During his presentation, Mr Armstrong delivered essential information to delegates regarding the role of the Transport Regulation Unit; its progress since going live July 2012; findings and common problems with non-compliant operators and will discuss case study examples.

The keynote speech at the FTA Transport Manager event was to be Donald Armstrong’s last presentation to the transport managers before his retirement from the DOE, where he has represented the transport industry for many years.

The FTA Northern Ireland Transport Manager event programme also included a wide variety of speakers covering key issues facing transport managers in the year ahead, and provided delegates with information and advice from industry experts.

Key sessions at Transport Manager Northern Ireland 2014 included:

DVA enforcement procedures
Traffic Regulator’s address
Securing loads
HGV UK Road User Levy
Cyclists safety
Maximising fuel efficiency

FTA Transport Manager Northern Ireland 2014 conference was sponsored by:

Brigade Electronics
Goodyear
Volvo