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Hauliers hit by Latest test station closure
Page 7
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CM COVER STORY By Joanna Bourke
SOME HAULIERS WILL have to travel an extra 80 miles for an HGV test after VOSA's decision to close the testing station at Llandrindod Wells, Powys.
VOSA confirms that the site will close on 25 September, with staff being moved over to neighbouring sites. But local hauliers say the nearest station is in Hereford — more than 40 miles away.
"The Llandrindod Wells site has been sold to a developer. Several parties have shown interest in setting up Designated Premises (DPs) in the area," a VOSA spokeswoman says.
In September 2008, VOSA said it was looking to relocate, pending an offer for the land from Tesco.
However, the agency confirms that no Authorised Testing Facilities (ATEs) have been set up, despite the Department for Transport (DfT) wanting 85% of tests to be delivered at them by 2013.
Michael Gough, partner at local haulier AE Gough & Sons, says: "It's uneconomical at the moment for anyone to invest in an ATF or DP, so now we're left disappointed."
Stations at Bredbury, Stockport and Par St Austell have already closed this year, but the closure of the Steeton, Bradford, station has been postponed.
• The INT is still looking for a new VOSA chief executive and is offering a £90,000 salary to the successful candidate. The ad says
'it is an exciting opportunity to lead a major government agency through a period of transition':
The deadline for applications is 24 July,