Following a fair and open recruitment campaign, Sharon Clelland
was appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport as a
Traffic Commissioner for Great Britain and will be deployed by
the Senior Traffic Commissioner to the Scottish traffic area.
She will start in the role on 6th April 2026.
Sharon joins the Traffic Commissioners from her role as Head of
Legal Services for the Police Investigations and Review
Commissioner, the independent body providing regulatory oversight
of policing in Scotland.
A qualified solicitor for over 23 years, Sharon brings extensive
legal experience in policing and the justice sector having worked
previously for the Police Service of Scotland and the Scottish
Fire and Rescue Service.
The Senior Traffic Commissioner, Kevin Rooney, said of her
appointment “I am delighted that Sharon has been appointed to the
traffic commissioner team. She brings with her significant
insight from her considerable experience in law enforcement and
the emergency services which will be used to great effect in our
efforts to improve road safety.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said “We welcome
Sharon Clelland's appointment to the role of Traffic Commissioner
for Scotland. Sharon's extensive legal expertise will be
invaluable in helping us to deliver our visions for public
transport and road user safety in Scotland”
The role of the traffic commissioners
Traffic commissioners are responsible for the licensing and regulation
of bus, coach and goods vehicle operators, and registration of
local bus services. Where appropriate, they can call
operators to a public inquiry to examine concerns about vehicle
and driver safety.
They also deal with professional drivers at conduct hearings.
