Bell Trailers "forced" by VOSA into opening DPs
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BELL TRAILER RENTALS says it was forced into opening a Designated Premises (DP) after VOSA closed its testing station in Steeton, West Yorkshire, hut the trailer business says it is only for private use.
The Lancashire company opened the DP following the Steeton test station's closure in March.
BelFtiailer MD Michael Bell says it was faced with a potentially "horrendous" 56mile round trip to its nearest testing station after Steeton closed, so it decided to open a DP for its fleet of 1,500 trailers at Nelson. -Bell was put into a corner by VOSA because of the closure of Steeton. The decision was made very quickly to open our own test facilities. We started testing in Easter week," he says. VOSA also says it has a "potential Authorised Testing Facility I ATF1 that is progressing around Steeton but, as with all potential new sites, any dates are dependent on the customer".
Only four ATF contracts have so far been signed, by TruckEast, Scania GB, Pullman/Wincanton and Lothian Buses, However, the target of opening 40 ATEs by March 2011 is still likely because VOSA says it is including DP applications made before 27 January, as well as bus ATEs.
VOSA adds: "These customers are still progressing towards becoming operational. However, the dates are based on estimated opening dates from customers. Some DPs and ATEs have had to push back their opening dates for a variety of reasons, such as construction or financial approval.