Residents ‘waiting weeks’ for MOT appointments
FERMANAGH residents are waiting weeks for MOT appointments according to Democratic Unionist Deborah Erskine, including the Stormont MLA herself.
She says she hears about the issue daily from her constituents.
Mrs. Erskine was speaking on BBC’S The View in her role as Chairwoman of the Infrastructure Committee about the backlog in MOT testing across Northern Ireland.
“I am dealing with constituents day and daily; this is not new that constituents and people in Northern Ireland are having to wait long times to get their MOT tests.”
“I heard the DVA Chief Executive say that 72 days is now the new norm, that should not be the case in Northern Ireland. I would go as far as to say it is longer than 72 days.
“I went online to book online to get my MOT test appointment - no tests available. I went online this week in August and I clicked in again - no tests available. That is an unacceptable position for people in Northern Ireland.”
She appeared on the programme to discuss issues surrounding a new MOT test centre in Belfast and the backlog in the system.
Mrs. Erskine referenced an earlier meeting of the Infrastructure Committee on the issue during which Minister O’dowd briefed members.
“The Infrastructure minister did come to the committee and spoke at length to the committee, not just on MOTS but on a whole range of issues. I raised it with the Minister about the new MOT lift cracks that have been found in testing equipment and we did get some information about what is happening at the new test centre.”
Responding to a remark from BBC host Mark Carruthers on how the public will find this information “astonishing”, Mrs. Erskine said: “It is astonishing, it is disappointing, we should be in a place where a test centre should be open and in use and dealing with the backlogs in the system.
“Anyone watching the programme who drives a car will know exactly what the issues are in relation to MOT testing and this is another long list of disappointments when it comes to DVLA testing and when it comes to the backlogs that are in the system.”