Play the game: Turvey
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THE GOVERNMENT is not practising what it preaches on cost cutting, Freight Transport Association deputy director general Gary Turvey said this week when he criticised the planned 27 per cent increase in lorry test fees.
Mr Turvey was speaking to the ETA Anglia division in Ipswich on Tuesday, and said that the increase was a double blow to the industry for it was apparent that another increase could accompany the sale of the test stations early next year.
"While no one wants to see a reduction in standards, nor the closure of test stations, it is difficult to believe that the viability of testing cannot be assured without such a massive increase in fees," he said.
"Any businessman who dared to suggest such an increase in his prices would expect to see his customers departing in droves. Clearly, this response is not available to lorry operators who face and generally support the annual test, but that is no excuse for the Government to abuse its monopoly position," Mr Turvey added.
He went on to dismiss suggestions that the increased fees, which take effect on November 1, were a result of reduced throughput at the test stations, as there has only been a four per cent drop in the number of tests.
"Rather, it appears to relate more to 'belt and braces' accounting which is completely out of tune with current financial pressures, with little, if any, effort to curtail overheads," he said.
Mr Turvey said that there is still time for the Government to reconsider its plans, and come up with a compromise between the needs of its balance sheet and the problems of the transport industry.