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30/01/2020
Two New Lifts Installed At MoT Centres
Two new MoT vehicle lifts are to be installed at local test centres, the Infrastructure Minister has announced.
Originally purchased at the end of last year, installation of the equipment has been accelerated to provide additional capacity and help mitigate the impact of ongoing test suspensions.
One will enter operation in Belfast and the other in Newbuildings, L'Derry.
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said: "These lifts will be independently inspected and checked before becoming operational. More information will follow on when and how these two new lifts will be operational but I expect that to be possible within the next few days."
The announcement comes as thousands of appointments are cancelled after signs of cracking were identified in 48 out of 55 lifts.
All car and light vehicle tests are currently suspended, with appointments only continuing for heavy goods vehicles and buses.
Two independent reviews are due to be carried out, however in the meantime, drivers with expired MoT certificates have been automatically issued with exemption certificates, meaning they can continue on the roads.
Taxi drivers and owners of four year-old cars in need of a first vehicle test are ineligible for the exemptions. The Department has committed to prioritising these vehicles.
Minister Mallon also instructed the DVLA that motorists unable to tax their vehicles due to the disruption should not be penalised.
"I will continue to push the DVA for progress on increasing the capacity for testing, whilst ensuring that safety remains the top priority for customers and staff," the SDLP MLA concluded.
(JG/CM)
Originally purchased at the end of last year, installation of the equipment has been accelerated to provide additional capacity and help mitigate the impact of ongoing test suspensions.
One will enter operation in Belfast and the other in Newbuildings, L'Derry.
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said: "These lifts will be independently inspected and checked before becoming operational. More information will follow on when and how these two new lifts will be operational but I expect that to be possible within the next few days."
The announcement comes as thousands of appointments are cancelled after signs of cracking were identified in 48 out of 55 lifts.
All car and light vehicle tests are currently suspended, with appointments only continuing for heavy goods vehicles and buses.
Two independent reviews are due to be carried out, however in the meantime, drivers with expired MoT certificates have been automatically issued with exemption certificates, meaning they can continue on the roads.
Taxi drivers and owners of four year-old cars in need of a first vehicle test are ineligible for the exemptions. The Department has committed to prioritising these vehicles.
Minister Mallon also instructed the DVLA that motorists unable to tax their vehicles due to the disruption should not be penalised.
"I will continue to push the DVA for progress on increasing the capacity for testing, whilst ensuring that safety remains the top priority for customers and staff," the SDLP MLA concluded.
(JG/CM)
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Public 'In The Dark' Amid MoT Crisis
An Alliance MLA has said the public have been left in the dark amid the current MoT crisis and called for better and more regular updates. The Department for Infrastructure has been under pressure after thousands of tests were cancelled in January following the discovery of faulty vehicle lifts.
Public 'In The Dark' Amid MoT Crisis
An Alliance MLA has said the public have been left in the dark amid the current MoT crisis and called for better and more regular updates. The Department for Infrastructure has been under pressure after thousands of tests were cancelled in January following the discovery of faulty vehicle lifts.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with outbreaks of mainly light rain at times, although there may be the odd heavier burst. Driest in the south and east during the afternoon. Moderate southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Staying cloudy throughout the evening and overnight period with a little rain or drizzle at times. Mild overnight with light winds. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
