21-05-08 New Bristol test station opens
The new state of the art test station at Merebank Road, Avonmouth, Bristol is officially opened today. Sited adjacent to the motorway network the new test station is much more convenient for customers than the previous test station in Ashton, Bristol which closed in April after nearly 40 years. Continuous testing is provided at new the site from 7.00am to 5.00pm and 80% of customers are now based within a three mile radius.
Bristol test station is part of VOSA’s extensive modernisation programme with an investment to date of £40 million. 12 test stations have been refurbished under this programme and Carlisle is to be refurbished later this year. At the same time, there is an ongoing nationwide modernisation programme at VOSA full time test stations.
Recent investment has resulted in streamlined testing and administration systems, significantly reducing test time and saving customers around 30 minutes in downtime. Improvements in test consistency have led to a reduction of nearly a third in the variation in initial test fail rates across our test stations. VOSA’s test stations are achieving an average forward booking time within 10 days of the requested date for an appointment. Here at this new site we are currently able to meet request for tests within a week of the request. Early indications are that customers are already seeking to test their vehicles here from outside the traditional catchment area.
VOSA is also increasing the range of electronic services to customers and our online booking system is now being trialled by customers. We will also mid year introduce a system to provide instant access and notification of relevant legislation and standards to our customers to make it easier for them to comply.
Stephen Tetlow, VOSA Chief Executive says:
“This new test station is just one example of how the recent increase in fees has helped us to improve services to customers. Here we are able to provide customers with significant improvement in levels of availability and access to testing. Future plans for further investment of £90 million in testing facilities are being developed to help us give our customers what they want. At the same time VOSA is committed to reducing carbon emissions. This is reflected by the green innovations of this new site. Working with our partners we have created a cost and energy efficient building which sets a new standard for the future”
The test station will be officially opened by Michael Bennett, VOSA’s longest serving vehicle tester who has been working at Calne test station for 40 years.
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NOTES TO EDITOR:
Site and facilities
new site opened for testing on 7 April 2008 replaced previous test station at Ashton Gate since the 1960s
first eco-friendly heavy goods vehicle test station
state of the art testing facility for commercial vehicles together with facilities for specialist tests and training
site split to provide three testing lanes, one training lane and a separate lane for Single Vehicle Approval, Vehicle Identity Check and Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval test purposes
adjacent innovatively designed two-storey office block for administration and enforcement staff
Better facilities for customers
more convenient location for customers adjacent to the motorway network allows VOSA to improve services to customers
continuous testing on site from 7.00am - 5.00pm
80% of customers now within a 3 mile radius of the test station
Key sustainability features of the site
offices are super carbon efficient with 63% enhancement on a typical office building
buildings designed with minimum maintenance in mind
using solar energy to power the lights and the office building, enough electricity will be generated to power the offices during the summer months
designed as a thermal store making it more energy efficient in the summer and winter months
rainwater harvesting - rainwater is collected and reused to flush the toilets -not only is this saving fresh water but helping flood prevention
Passive Stack Ventilation System instead of costly air conditioning
all materials and products in the buildings have been carefully chosen based on their whole life cost and their environmental qualities; for example the chair covers are made from recycled milk bottle caps; giving VOSA a 50% saving on already refurbished buildings
all lighting is operated by daylight and movement sensors which dramatically reduces electricity bills
the first ever pit ventilation system in the world
Our onsite landscaping has provided ecological areas. Early indications are showing that the water vole population has nearly doubled since we made the enhancements.
A detailed information pack about the site is also attached to this release.
VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) is responsible for:
• Processing applications for licences to operate lorries and buses and registering bus services
• Operating and administering testing schemes for all vehicles, including the supervision of the MOT testing scheme
• Enforcing the law on vehicles to ensure that they comply with legal standards and regulations
• Enforcing drivers' hours and licensing requirements
• Supporting Traffic Commissioners to help them make informed decisions on operator
licensing, vocational drivers and bus registration requirements
• Providing training and advice for commercial operators
• Investigating vehicle accidents, defects and recalls.
For media enquiries about VOSA, please contact: Zita Easton on 0117 954 2561 or Luke Bigwood on 0117 954 3208. You can also e-mail press@vosa.gov.uk
Page last updated: 21/05/2008