Testing Station Delays Criticised

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32127, 24 October 1969, Page 12

Testing Station Delays Criticised

Dissatisfaction with the time taken in waiting for vehicle testing at the Lichfield Street testing station was expressed by members of the council of the Automobile Association (Canterbury) at its meeting last night. The council of the associa-

tion adopted a recommendation of its motoring and traffic committee that it suggest to the City Council that facilities available at the testing station appear to be inadequate to cope with the demand, and that it ask what plans were being considered to deal with the problem. Mr E. R. Casbolt said he considered the delays at the Lichfield Street station were unreasonable. The owners of vehicles being taken there for warrant tests by garages were being unnecessarily penalised in having to meet mechanics’ wages while they waited in the queues. He said it was a “poor show” that a member of the association had to wait an hour and a half for a warrant. The council had a virtual monopoly, and if it could not] cope with the demand garages, should be authorised to issue, warrants.

He said it would be chaotic when the holiday season approached. The association should press for some improvement without waiting for the recommended handing over of the city testing stations to the Transport Department. “Discerning motorists now go to either the Sockbum or the Cranford Street stations,” Mr Casbolt said. Mr A. I. R. Jamieson said the association had pressed for uniformity in testing, and it would be - retrograde step to give testing back to garages.

Mr T. W. Milliken said the processing of individual cars seemed satisfactory. The question arising was whether there were sufficient lanes and other facilities to help reduce the waiting time.