Two non-VOSA testing stations opened recently.

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency's (VOSA) drive to reduce burdens on industry and take testing to the customer is gathering pace as the agency confirms that two new non-VOSA testing stations opened recently. The new Authorised Testing Facility’s (ATFs) have been opened by Moreton Cullimore in Gloucester and S and K Haulage in Barry, South Wales.

In addition, after completing further analysis of the potential market for ATFs, VOSA will close its Gloucester, Liverpool and Bishopbriggs (Glasgow) test stations. The review found that there is sufficient interest in running ATFs in the areas around these sites to cease VOSA testing by December 2011. The nine-month notice period is to allow sufficient time for new ATFs to meet the required standards, achieve authorisation, and go live.

VOSA Chief Executive Alastair Peoples said: “I’m very pleased to see these latest sites open. It shows that the industry has confidence in the future of testing and that ATFs are the way forward. We have been working tremendously hard to provide an efficient, modern service for our customers which delivers convenient, high quality testing. More tests than ever are now being carried out by VOSA staff at privately owned sites, reducing the amount of time and money operators need to spend travelling to test stations.”

There are now 49 such non-VOSA testing stations around the country.  James Firth, FTA’s Head of Road Freight and Enforcement Policy, said: “VOSA is really showing it means business with its Testing Transformation Programme.  ATFs should mean reduced costs for operators by bringing the point of test closer to the point of maintenance and therefore reduce vehicle downtime, the fuel for journey from maintenance to test and the cost of a skilled fitter’s time driving to test.  For some larger operators who have invested in private ATFs for their own fleet there is a palpable sense of excitement at the new-found flexibility this programme allows them.”

The need for more local testing stations is becoming increasingly urgent as whole vehicle body type approval regulations kick in and more vehicles require testing.