The Department for Infrastructure has confirmed that nine vehicle testing lanes at the new Hydebank center, completed in February 2024, will be dismantled and rebuilt due to installation failures by the contractor, Worldwide Environmental Products (WEP). The department terminated its contract with WEP on October 9, following allegations of poor workmanship, which WEP strongly denies and is currently contesting in legal proceedings.
On the same day, the department issued a tender for a £30 million contract to install 79 vehicle testing lanes at centers across Northern Ireland, significantly larger than the original £11 million contract with WEP. This new contract aims to supply, install, commission, calibrate, and maintain new testing equipment at Hydebank, the upcoming Mallusk test center, and replace equipment in the existing network of test centers.
Currently, 65 testing lanes are operational, but tens of thousands of test appointments have been canceled due to cracks found in lifts at Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) test centers. Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd noted that the tender process could take three to four months, and any legal challenges from WEP could delay the contract award.
The second test center at Mallusk is under construction, with plans for it to open in 2025, which will increase vehicle testing capacity by over 200,000 vehicles annually once both centers are operational.
The Department for Infrastructure has announced that nine vehicle testing lanes at the new Hydebank center, completed in February 2024, will be dismantled and rebuilt due to installation failures by contractor Worldwide Environmental Products (WEP). Following allegations of poor workmanship—claims WEP denies and is contesting legally—the department terminated its contract with the firm on October 9. Concurrently, a new tender has been issued for a £30 million contract to install 79 vehicle testing lanes across Northern Ireland, significantly larger than the previous £11 million contract. Currently, 65 lanes are operational, but many test appointments have been canceled due to cracks in lifts at Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) test centers. Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd indicated the tender process may take three to four months, with potential legal challenges from WEP possibly delaying contract awards. The second test center at Mallusk, expected to open in 2025, aims to boost vehicle testing capacity by over 200,000 vehicles annually when both centers are operational.