RHA disappointed at VOSA test station closure

The Road Haulage Association is disappointed that the concerns raised over the closure of the VOSA test station at Llandrindod Wells have gone unheeded and that the facility is do to close on Friday 25th September.

Commenting, RHA Head of Communications Kate Gibbs said: “Of course we support the intention of bringing vehicle testing closer to operators and improving the flexibility of testing hours but we fear that these benefits may fail to materialise in practice.

“Change is inevitable and we appreciate VOSAs efforts to engage with the industry. However, we are concerned that these efforts have not gone far enough to ensure that the service to hauliers will not be compromised either in terms of cost or site availability”.

At the request of the RHA’s Midlands and Western Regional Director, Mike Farmer, VOSA recently called a meeting attended by 85 operators at which they revealed that the site had been sold to a leading supermarket chain and was part of the transformation of testing. This includes moving testing from VOSA sites (the majority of which will face closure) to a new system of contracted sites; Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs).

Despite the fact that the Llandrindod Wells testing station is due to close in three days time, as yet there is still no agreement with a local ATF provider. In addition, it seems unlikely that any local firm entering into such a contract would be capable of taking large articulated trucks or would be prepared to commit to such an undertaking due, in no small part, to the financial investment needed.

“Hauliers are already facing uncertain future and this represents an additional worry that they can well do without,” Kate Gibbs concluded.