by Nicky Clarke • The Vehicle Inspectorate splits into three divisions this week: testing, enforcement and central services.
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This paves the way for the privatisation of LGV testing that was proposed by Transport Secretary John MacGregor in May.
MacGregor is believed to be considering a report compiled by management consultant Price Waterhouse on how the 91 test stations operated by the Vehicle Inspectorate could be transferred to the private sector. The decision to go ahead and privatise is expected to be announced during the Queen's speech in two weeks' time.
VI chief executive Ron Oliver claims the split into two operational divisions "further develops the origi nal merger of the Traffic Examiners and Vehicle Examiners" of two years ago. The supply of testing had been a problem because "the pattern of demand varies", says Oliver, and enforcement—carried out on behalf of the Government— requires a degree of independence.
He hopes that the two divisions will be easier to manage when they are run as separate entities.