Motor Transport's campaign to ensure no more test stations are closed until suitable alternatives are in place has already gained the support of road safety charity Brake and trade unions Prospect, Unite and the Public and Commercial Services union. We have also collected more than 450 signatures on our online No.10 petition, so it is clear this is a huge issue that unites many different factions.
We asked you to send in your concerns and questions about the privatisation of tests for us to put to VOSA. We selected the most pressing, and VOSA chief executive Alastair Peoples has responded...
When is the ATF contract going to be published?
VOSA is allowing a little more time for comments from interested parties to ensure the contract meets the needs of businesses across the industry. We want to make sure we get it right. We need to provide the opportunity for interested parties to give their views and incorporate the feedback we receive.
A number of major industry players have already expressed interest in becoming ATFs as soon as possible. While I can't give you an exact date for the launch of the contract, I can assure you that we are working tirelessly to finalise and release it as soon as possible.
The contract will be available for download on Businesslink.gov.uk, and once applications have been submitted, our business development team will provide support to applicants.
Why has there been such a small number of third-parties interested in setting up ATFs?
Interested parties are keen to see the finalised contract before taking a final decision on becoming an ATF. Even though we have not yet begun to actively market ATFs, we have received more than 100 enquiries from potential sites.
We have also noticed an increase in the number of Designated Premises (DP) applications - this is indicative of growing interest in the concept of external testing. We intend to increase marketing activities in order to generate more interest once the finalised contract has been launched.
If VOSA test stations are being closed due to overcapacity (such as Steeton), how would a private firm be able to open an ATF in the same area and make a viable business out of it if VOSA can't get the volume of tests coming through?
Let me be quite clear; the recent decision to close four testing stations was due to overcapacity in VOSA's station network and is not linked to the ATF strategy.
No further testing stations are currently earmarked for closure; none will be closed until sufficient alternative provision is in place.
Second, in taking testing closer to the customer, we are providing ATFs with an opportunity to align testing with maintenance. This will mean better value for money to the end customer.
ATFs themselves will be at liberty to determine the volume of testing they wish to conduct at their facility, depending on the level of demand in their local area.
How will VOSA ensure consistency of test results at ATFs/DPs when the testing equipment is not under the day-to-day control of VOSA?
Over the past three years we have made significant improvements in the consistency of testing standards.
Regardless of where tests are performed, we are committed to enforcing the measures we put in place that have led to this improvement.
All vehicle tests will continue to be performed by trained and qualified VOSA staff. All measuring equipment used in DPs and ATFs is required to be regularly calibrated in the same way as equipment at VOSA sites.
Arrangements already exist to ensure the equipment is properly maintained - testing will not go ahead unless this is the case. Regular quality checks and audits will ensure that we maintain consistent standards.
How will VOSA ensure vehicle testers remain motivated and committed when they become mobile, working longer hours?
Although the move to ATFs may signify a change to the working day or week of some individuals, overall there will be no change to the total hours worked. In fact, many staff already operate different working patterns by carrying out testing at DPs.
We recognise that we will need to manage the transition to ATFs effectively and are reviewing the role of line managers, communications and IT support to enable us to maintain the commitment and involvement of our staff.
Has VOSA calculated the carbon cost of a workforce that is increasingly mobile?
We anticipate that the overall carbon footprint will be greatly reduced.
The carbon cost of a mobile workforce will be greatly offset by reducing distances that operators have to travel to and from testing sites.
Will more testers need to be employed to make up for the time spent travelling back and forth to ATFs?
There are several factors that will influence the number of testers that VOSA will need to employ. This will include the additional time spent travelling to a non-VOSA site, as well as extended opening hours (6am-8pm).
We anticipate that extended opening hours - as opposed to travelling time - will have the greatest effect on the number of staff required. We are assessing the likely future workforce numbers and talking to the trade unions to review existing terms and conditions.