West Pennine Trucks signs up to be fourth VOSA ATF
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chris.tindattrartn.co.uk MANCHESTER SCANIA dealer West Pennine Trucks has become the fourth CV signatory to VOSA's Authorised Testing Facility (ATF) contract.
The North-West's largest privately-owned Scania dealer has been operating as a Designated Premises (DP) in Trafford Park for several years. but MD Andrew Ward says converting to an ATF was -the logical thing to do".
-I have noticed, and from discussions with [TruckEast MD] John Biggin and his experience, there's very little difference," he says. "There's more security of tenure, in effect."
VOSA has come under pressure for its part-privatisation of HGV testing stations, as it forges ahead with its testing transformation process.
Up until now Scania. Truck East and Wincan ton were the only three HGV ATF signatories, while testing stations in West Yorkshire, Cornwall, Wales and Bredbury in Manchester have all closed down.
"VOSA closed Bredbury 12 months ago and since then we have become increasingly busy with work at our DRexplains Ward. -It seemed sensible to formalise OUT arrangement with VOSA.
"We are particularly busy, but we can always accommodate people: we will be as flexible as
possible. It is open to anyone who wants to use it and our fees are very competitive.
Meanwhile, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) says it is aware of more testing stations opening.
Andy Mair. FTA head of engineering policy, says: "I am aware of six sites that one of our members will be opening this year, initially as DPs, and they will be taking on third-party testing. They have gone down the DP route because when they applied, the ATF contract wasn't available."