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VOSA adamant it will hit ATF test targets
Page 7
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VOSA IS STANDING by its target of getting a third of all annual tests carried out at new privately run Authorised Testing Facilities (ATEs) by March 2010, despite applications from interested parties not being processed for another three months. The ambitious goal has been set by the government and VOSA says it "anticipates achieving'. the 33% target — even though not a single ATF has yet been set up.
ATEs are intended to provide a more formal replacement to designated premises (DPs) run by operators and maintenance providers. The main difference will be a contractual requirement upon VOSA to fulfil its arrangement for the provision of testing staff.
VOSA says a draft contract and formal ATE application process will begin in October and it has already received "over one hundred expressions of interest" from private operators Steve Biddle, Road Haulage Association head of technical services, says: They are most unlikely to get anywhere near achieving their target, but its difficult to say because of the lack of clarity."
• See page 12 for more on test centre closures.