Road to Larne MOT centre fails test

The facility, just off Ballyboley Road, carries out MOT and driving tests on behalf of the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA).

An MOT candidate has voiced concerns about two large potholes, each measuring around two-and-a half foot wide and four to five inches deep on the unadopted road.

The potholes are around 30 to 40 yards from the entrance of the test centre.

Our contact voiced amazement that the condition of a road outside a centre responsible for testing cars could be left to deteriorate to such an extent.

The driver, who did not wish to be named, told the Times: “If you have put money into getting your car ready for an MOT, the last thing you want is to do it damage on your way into the centre or after the test.”

DOE, which is responsible for MOT test centres, said it has twice asked the land owner to repair the potholes. A spokesperson said: “We await a formal response to our recent correspondence.”

“The Agency has been in contact with the owner of the road on several occasions recently. The centre manager met the owner on January 19, 2016 to discuss the issue and we subsequently wrote to the owner on February 19, 2016, asking if he intends to carry out the necessary repairs to the road. In response to the Times’ query over the identity of the landowner, the DOE spokesperson said: “The Department cannot provide the personal contact details of the owner of the private road.”