Laura Padden joins PATROL as new Director
The PATROL Joint Committee is pleased to welcome its new Director, Laura Padden, who starts the role on Thursday 18 February 2021.
Laura is joining PATROL from London Tribunals, where she has been Head of Support Services for the past five years. London Tribunals provides administrative support to the Environment and Traffic Adjudicators in London, who consider appeals against penalty charges issued by 33 London local authorities and Transport for London.
Consequently, Laura brings a wealth of valuable experience from her time in London. Her insight from appeals relating to the recently implemented Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), as well as the Congestion Charge and moving traffic enforcement, will be of particular relevance, with a number of charging Clean Air Zones set to rollout across England in 2021, together with the planned granting of moving traffic powers to English local authorities outside London.
Prior to her position at London Tribunals, Laura held various parking and highway management roles at Lancashire County Council.
Reflecting on her appointment, Laura said: ‘I am delighted to have been appointed to the role, and am looking forward to working with the expert teams at PATROL and TPT to build on the success they have achieved to date.
‘I’m excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and am committed to continuing to deliver an exceptional service to motorists and local authorities in the years to come.’
Laura is taking over from Louise Hutchinson, who is retiring after 15 years in post. Louise will work with Laura during a handover period before her retirement.
Stuart Hughes, Chair of the PATROL Joint Committee, said: ‘On behalf of over 300 authorities that make up the Joint Committee, I would like to congratulate Laura on her appointment. I know she will hit the ground running and her time in London will be invaluable in continuing the great work Louise has overseen.
‘Louise has been an exemplary and determined Director of the Joint Committee during her 15 years at the helm. This is a period that has seen the complete digital transformation of the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, as well as numerous achievements contributing to the debate around – and public awareness of – civil enforcement and key traffic management issues.’
Caroline Sheppard OBE, Chief Adjudicator of the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, said: ‘We are delighted that Laura shares the Tribunal’s dedication to accessible justice, a commitment to transforming our users’ experience and an aspiration to continue improving our digital processes.
‘I am very much looking forward to working alongside her to continue the close,
collaborative relationship between PATROL and TPT that has exemplified Louise’s tenure,
supporting the Tribunal’s journey to become the fully online service it is today.’
