Road trip shows test centre anger

1:15pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

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ANGRY driving instructors and learner drivers from west Wiltshire descended on Chippenham on Friday to protest against the closure of the Trowbridge test centre.

They organised a rally drive from the more distant towns to illustrate how the journey to the new Chippenham test centre wastes time and money.

Nearly 30 cars took part with west Wilts MP Dr Andrew Murrison going along for the ride to show support.

Although 8,000 learner drivers take their test at Trowbridge test centre each year the Driving Standards Authority (DSA) has decided to close the centre in Wiltshire Drive and move all the business over to the Chippenham test centre in Bumpers Farm.

Driving instructors and learner drivers are angry because it means they will have to drive further to take their test and pay for longer lessons if they want to learn in the area where they will eventually take the driving exam.

Jess Stabbins, 17, from Westbury, is a McDonald's manager in Trowbridge and is learning to drive with Tony Pharo of Freedom School of Motoring, Westbury.

She said: "If they closed the Trowbridge test centre tomorrow I would not be happy. It would mean me paying for a double lesson to get out to Chippenham and back and I just cannot afford that. I would have to put off my test or not do it at all."

Mr Pharo, her instructor, said: "Starting in Warminster, where many of our learners live, it took us one hour and two minutes to get to the Chippenham test centre. It was 22 miles there and the traffic was good.

"I gave this to Jess for free but if she had to pay for it she would be seriously out of pocket.

"I believe the DSA has another agenda and their ultimate aim is to close a large number of local test centres to save them money."

When the convoy of cars arrived at Chippenham test centre instructors and learners waved banners and chanted to make their point to the staff inside. They were careful not to disrupt learners taking their tests.

Dr Murrison, who has five daughters who each face having to use the Chippenham test centre if Trowbridge closes, said: "Closing Trowbridge given the volume of work seems short sighted and capricious.

"Additionally my constituents will be disadvantaged because they will not know the test area as well as their peers in Chippenham and the surrounding area."