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Testing times for VOSA
Page 9
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A BRADFORD HAULIER has branded the closure of a government-owned VOSA test station in Keighley,West Yorks. as a "nail in the coffinfor operators whose journeys to he tested could take twice as long as a result.
Matthew Kitson, owner of the eponymous Bradford-based haulier and CV mechanic workshop, believes that having VOSA staff operating an Authorised Testing Facility (ATF) will not prove cost-effective and claims the shutting of the testing station at Steeton will make life a nightmare for local hauliers.
VOSA is set to close test stations in Bredbury, Stockport: Steeton, Bradford; and Par (St Austell), Cornwall, by the summer. A spokesman says most testing from Steeton will be transferred to Leeds, but Kitson says: "From Bradford to Steeton takes 45 minutes, and Leeds takes 1.5 hours and there is traffic against us."
A spokesman at Shipley, West Yorkshire-based Grangefield Commercial says: -To change to Leeds we've got to increase our costs to customers.They could say no.
The Department for Transport has tasked VOSA to shift 85% of tests to privately-run ATFs by 2013.
But Kitson believes running an NIT will be "not financially viable'.'
"I would have to pay for the equipment and maintain the premises but VOSA staff would be paid more for the testing. I can't be there on a handy basis: I have to make profit."
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