FTA: Closures must not affect risk management
Published by Ben Brown
A spokesman for the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has commented on recent moves to close test centres based on their viability.
Peter Staines, vice-Chairman of the organisation's Road Freight Council, explained that fleet managers already have to get the approval of the traffic commissioner when changing maintenance arrangements.
For this reason, he said it makes more sense for this to be the same authority that decides whether Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) closures should go ahead.
"VOSA is changing the arrangements for annual testing on hundreds of operators," Mr Staines added, suggesting traffic commissioners are given the power to ensure alternative options do not "jeopardise road safety and operating practices".
His comments follow the closure of three test centres this year in Cornwall, Cheshire and Wales that may have made life more difficult for some grey and green fleet operators.
The FTA recently welcomed moves to implement plans for increased freight data capture powers for police.
