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It ain't broke... yet

30th March 2006, Page 12
30th March 2006
Page 12
Page 12, 30th March 2006 — It ain't broke... yet
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Brian Weatherley has changed his mind on the contentious issue of privatising LGV test stations — and insists we've yet to get the best from the present system.

As a colunnnisl. it helps to have a good memory— so if you change your mind you can do it intentionally rather than stand accused of hypocrisy. Back in April 2004, while commenting on the deficit in Vosa's accounts for LGV and PSV annual testing, I said the choice facing the Department for Transport (Vosa 's paymaster) was to cough up or hand over its LGV testing function to the private sector.

But when I recently heard Ian Jones, boss of DaimlerChrysler's UK truck and van operation, call for the government to sell off its LGV test stations and concentrate more on enforcement, I felt distinctly uncomfortable. I warned him that he was "walking on eggshells", and he declared that Merc's dealer network had invested hundreds of thousands of pounds in its collective premises, implying that they'd welcome the kind of throughput that privatised vehicle testing would provide. "For God's sake, don't tell the DfT that!" I replied, "As that's probably the last reason why they'd let LGV testing be given to you."

If the DfT were ever to put LGV testing into the private sector it would have to be because it could do a better job than Vosa and I'm not convinced it can do that AND maintain the level of independence that UK operators demand, AND allay any safety fears that the general public might have about a private testing system. Clearly there are things that operators don't like about the current arrangement but Vosa's independence isn't one of them.

And sorry Ian, I don't buy the argument that taking LGV testing away from Vosa would unlock more funds for enforcement. The government certainly isn't putting more money into LGV enforcement now, so why should it in the future just because Vosa stopped testing trucks and buses? The Treasury would doubtless see it as a potential saving.

Sadly, the one question that seldom gets asked is: "Why doesn't Vosa have enough money to deliver the kind of service on LGV testing, 0-Licence administration and, above all, roadside enforcement that the industry needs and deserves?" Only the DfT, rather than the private sector, can answer that.


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