Midlands-based truck dealer Hartshorne Group has applied to VOSA for an Authorised Testing Facility (ATF) contract at its Burton site in order to complement its newly launched all-makes trailer and truck servicing facilities.
It also plans eventually to cater for all commercial vehicle sizes down to 3.5 tonnes.
Group marketing director Alan Southall says: "With the road transport industry more watchful than ever about its carbon footprint, it makes sense to provide a one-stop shop for all makes of commercial vehicle [in order] to help reduce unnecessary mileage."
He adds: "We're also in talks with VOSA to become an accredited test station, and hope to be able to provide this facility on top of the servicing capacity."
Hartshorne's Burton site is 30 miles away from the nearest existing VOSA test station.
VOSA has said it hopes to have the first ATF contract ready by the end of this month, and has also confirmed it will not close any more test stations until further information is available on how the ATF market has developed.
The Hartshorne Group has also been appointed main dealer for Lawrence David trailers for Central England, providing full parts plus repair and maintenance including annual vehicle test preparation and presentation.
Roadtransport.com, Motor Transport and Commercial Motor have launched a joint campaign that aims to stop the closure of VOSA test stations until adequate local testing provision is in place - please sign our petition.