Protest at test fees
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• Goods vehicles operators will pay between £4m and £4.25m in testing fees if the recent Ministry proposals go through, the TRTA calculates. The Association finds it difficult to reconcile the figures with the earlier financial details given and is to discuss the matter at a meeting with the Ministry.
The Road Safety Bill quoted £8.25m for test station building and equipping and £1.9m a year running costs. The Ministry says the test fees are calculated on a break-even basis but economists acting for the TRTA estimate that on these figures the annual charge for depreciation and running costs would be £2.38m.
The TRTA feels that trailer test fees are too high and should be reduced to £2 and £3 respectively, and it objects to the £15 fee for appeal to the area engineer. It is felt wrong that a fee should be demanded before discussion of a problem with the acknowledged local Ministry contact: a fee should only be payable if an appeal fails, says the Association.