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28/02/2020
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.
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon yesterday announced the purchase of 52 replacement lifts, due to be in operation by the end of July.
The Minister claims the development will ensure the swift return to full capacity for MoT centres, however Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir has his doubts.
"The completion of replacement lifts only by July may cause further issues," he claimed.
Mr Muir demanded more regular updates on the situation and subsequent investigations.
Minister Mallon last month ordered two independent reviews- one to determine exactly how the cracks came about in the lifts and the other to identify how best to rectify this situation.
"It is vital the audit report into this situation, as well as the various independent reports, are published as soon as possible, to allow scrutiny of how this matter got to this point," Mr Muir said. "It is important the Minister keeps the Infrastructure Committee informed along the way as well, as it will play an central role in that scrutiny process.
"There is a need for the quality and regularity of information being given to the public to be increased too – currently a lot of people remain in the dark regarding what they can and can't do with MOTs for their vehicles."
The North Down MLA added: "Road safety needs to be a priority, so it is crucial the Minister outlines all future plans as soon as possible, as the backlog of vehicles needs addressed and the completion of replacement lifts only by July may cause further issues."
(JG/CM)
The Department for Infrastructure has been under pressure after thousands of tests were cancelled in January following the discovery of faulty vehicle lifts.
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon yesterday announced the purchase of 52 replacement lifts, due to be in operation by the end of July.
The Minister claims the development will ensure the swift return to full capacity for MoT centres, however Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir has his doubts.
"The completion of replacement lifts only by July may cause further issues," he claimed.
Mr Muir demanded more regular updates on the situation and subsequent investigations.
Minister Mallon last month ordered two independent reviews- one to determine exactly how the cracks came about in the lifts and the other to identify how best to rectify this situation.
"It is vital the audit report into this situation, as well as the various independent reports, are published as soon as possible, to allow scrutiny of how this matter got to this point," Mr Muir said. "It is important the Minister keeps the Infrastructure Committee informed along the way as well, as it will play an central role in that scrutiny process.
"There is a need for the quality and regularity of information being given to the public to be increased too – currently a lot of people remain in the dark regarding what they can and can't do with MOTs for their vehicles."
The North Down MLA added: "Road safety needs to be a priority, so it is crucial the Minister outlines all future plans as soon as possible, as the backlog of vehicles needs addressed and the completion of replacement lifts only by July may cause further issues."
(JG/CM)
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