A new National Car Testing Service (NCTS) test centre has opened in Tuam, County Galway. The opening of the new two-lane centre will see the NCTS network increase to 48 nationwide and over time will create an additional 12 jobs for the Tuam area.

Speaking ahead of the opening, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton TD said, “I am delighted to see the opening of this new two-lane centre in Tuam which will serve the people of North Galway and South Mayo, and will provide motorists with a convenient alternative that’s close to them, rather than having to travel to other neighbouring centres in Galway City, Ballinasloe or Castlerea. The new centre in Tuam will play its part in keeping vehicles and roads safe.”

Commenting on the opening Mr. Sam Waide, CEO, Road Safety Authority said, “The new centre will have the capacity to inspect over 20,000 vehicles annually when fully operational. The NCTS plays a fundamental part in Ireland’s overall Road Safety Strategy. By requiring vehicles to undergo periodic roadworthiness checks it is helping to improve vehicle safety and ensure that defective and unroadworthy vehicles are kept off the road. Of course, we should not forget too that it is enhancing the environment by reducing harmful vehicles emissions.”

Mr. Mark Synnott, Managing Director of NCTS said “We are delighted to serve the people of North Galway with this new centre. It brings our network to 48 centres nationwide, employing over 600 vehicle inspectors who combined inspect over 1.8 million vehicles on an annual basis. Over the next year, there are plans to provide a range of additional benefits to customers such as the opening of new testing centres in certain locations, the upgrading and refurbishment of existing centres and other service improvements, on behalf of the RSA.”

The new centre is located in the Carrowpeter, Doogra area in Tuam.