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11th November 2010
Page 7
Page 7, 11th November 2010 — P HGV TESTING
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VOSA urged to accelerate ATF roll-out

TRANSPORT MINISTER Mike Penning has asked VOSA (see p14) to accelerate the move to Authorised Testing Facilities (NUB), despite the industry's leading trade associations urging the minister to ditch ATFs (CM 12 August) during the summer.

Richard Smith, VOSA pro gramme director for Testing Transformation, says: "With the transport minister's full support, we're working hard to fulfil our commitment to review the potential ATF m.arket in all 68 of our full-time test stations, with a target of completing 20 area reviews this financial year.

"Our strategy of 'taking testing to the customer' is proving successful. So far, 33 new non-VOSA sites have gone live — an average of more than one per week."

Of these 33 sites, 25 are new Designated Premises ( DPs) and eight are new ATFs. In addition. 14 DPs have converted to ATF status since the ATF contract was published in January, giving VOSA a total of 22 operational ATFs (five of which are PSV only).

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) says it remains concerned about ATFs' ability to deliver to local markets, particularly for specialist vehicles.

"VOSA seems to be focusing on ensuring test centres can cope with capacity, which is good, but it also needs to look at catering for the small, specialist market and the testing facilities that they require," says James Firth, F IA head of road freight and enforcement policy.


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