The secretary of state for transport, Heidi Alexander, has announced the appointment of Kevin Rooney as the new senior traffic commissioner, effective from 1 June 2025.
Rooney will oversee the work of the traffic commissioners who are responsible for regulating the road transport industry across the UK, with specific oversight of public service vehicles (such as buses and coaches), freight operators, and drivers.
Rooney will take this new position from his current role as traffic commissioner for the West of England and will bring experience from his work at the Vehicle Inspectorate and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).
In these roles, he managed the introduction of the first MOT emission tests, diesel smoke tests and led the programme to upgrade VOSA’s enforcement processes, alongside working as a road safety consultant to new EU member states.
Incoming senior traffic commissioner Kevin Rooney said: “It is a great privilege to be appointed as Senior Traffic Commissioner for Great Britain.
“I want to pay tribute to Richard Turfitt and the work he has done as senior traffic commissioner for the past eight years.
“Arguably, he led the commissioners through some of the toughest times we have seen during the pandemic, making quick decisions to keep the haulage and passenger industries working compliantly and to facilitate service recovery thereafter.
“Following in his footsteps will not be easy, but I look forward to that challenge, working equally closely with those who support commissioners and those we serve.”
Achievements and innovations in public transport planning will be recognised and celebrated at the fourth annual CiTTi Awards on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector!
