VOSA truck enforcers spread thinly
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VOSA FIGURES show that there are just four staff with the power to stop and inspect HGVs at the roadside across south Wales.
The agency has been able to request powers to stop HGVs at the roadside without a police presence in England and Wales since 2003. There is no limit to the number it can request under the Accredited Persons (AP) scheme.
But data released to CM shows that there are large parts of the country with only a handful of APs able to stop lorries.
Counties such as Nottinghamshire, Sussex, Wiltshire and Gwent have just three APs; Greater Manchester has six; and north Wales, Suffolk, Gloucestershire and West Yorkshire have five each. Kent has the most, with 35; Hertfordshire has 26; and Thames Valley has 23.
A VOSA spokeswoman says it concentrates its enforcement efforts on the strategic route network and at ports.
She adds: "VOSA applies for accreditation, and has had it granted. for all staff as required. We would always like additional resources, but are subject to budgetary constraints as are all