More VOSA test stations to close as ATF numbers hit 350

VOSA has announced the forthcoming closure of eight more of its test stations in the first quarter of next year. Testing will cease at Northampton, Wolverhampton, Southampton, Wrexham, Beverley, Cardiff, Kidderminster, Calne and Edinburgh by the end of March 2014, as it is now judged that there is sufficient private authorised testing facility (ATF) capacity in these areas.

Meanwhile, Morrison’s regional distribution centre in Bridgwater, Somerset, was the 350th site to open as part of VOSA’s ATF scheme since it launched at the beginning of 2010, the agency has announced. 70 per cent of all tests are now carried out at private sites, as opposed to the agency’s own network of testing stations, which has seen a gradual process of closures and reductions in operating hours.

Said VOSA chief executive Alastair Peoples: “The opening of the 350th ATF at Morrison’s in Somerset is another milestone in the transformation of bus, coach and truck testing… ATFs offer a number of benefits. For most of those getting vehicles tested, it means a shorter distance to travel meaning less downtime for vehicles and employees as well as savings on fuel costs. And where vehicles are tested at the site of maintenance, you also tend to see a higher first-time pass rate.”

Robert Ward from Morrison’s added: “From an operation perspective it will enable DHL/Morrisons to reduce dead mileage, fuel usage and unproductive workshop hours for the 170 plus MOTs required for this fleet on an annual basis alone. Also, the opportunity to facilitate external third party MOT testing is a first for Morrisons.”

In a recent interview with Transport Operator, VOSA operations director Alex Fiddes said that despite the move towards third-party testing sites, there were no plans to privatise testing by letting dealer employees perform the actual tests, which are still carried out by VOSA inspectors at ATF sites.