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MP backs calls to save REPRIMI p '17 717"C".111.,,fr!,
Page 9
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Steeton testing station
By joanna Bourke KEIGHLEY MP ANN Cryer is to meet with transport secretary Jim Fitzpatrick to urge him to reconsider the closure of the testing station at Steeton, Bradford.
This follows a VOSA seminar to discuss the closure of the station, which is scheduled for 23 April.They will also discuss the requirements for becoming an Authorised Testing Facility (ATF).
In a letter dated 11 March sent to Fitzpatrick, Cryer states: "I am asking for the DfT to reconsider the closure of Steeton, and in particular to consider the acute problems this closure, with such short notice, will cause.
"The people using this station are customers of VOSA, and if this plea is ignored then all the customer-friendly phrases in the world will not recompense for a basic lack of sound process.
She adds: "If after a full consultation process and exploration of other avenues, the only option is closure then that should he deferred until the end of March 2010."
Dave Wareing, director at local haulier Joda Freight, says: "The nearest station after Steeton is Leeds, which adds around 28 miles to our journey. We test five HGVs a week, so this will become very expensive."
Wareing hopes to attend the meeting on 30 March with several other constituents According to Cryer. VOSA customer director Kevin Rooney has also agreed to hold another meeting at Steeton Hall Hotel before the centre closes.
A spokeswoman for VOSA confirms that the meeting will be held, but no date has been set.
In response to Cryer's call to reconsider the closure, the spokeswoman adds: "VOSA will document all the options available for the provision of a testing service for Steeton's customers, and these will be discussed with the central Department for Transport ahead of the meeting with Cryer."