What the 'L' are they thinking?

8:53am Thursday 5th June 2008

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THE days are numbered for Basingstoke's Driving Test Centre.

The centre, which opened in 1981, is faced with closure - a move that will force learner drivers and motorcyclists to take their tests in either Newbury or Farnborough.

Basingstoke does have a good mix of traffic and is therefore a good place to be tested

The AA’s Andrew Howard

Bosses at the Driving Standards Agency say the closure is necessary because the Brighton Hill centre is not big enough to meet European Union rules about motorcycle testing that come into force in September.

The new rules require more space for motorcycle riders to perform complicated manoeuvres that must be off public roads.

Although Basingstoke's centre is still suitable for car tests, DSA bosses insist it is not cost effective to keep it open just for car drivers.

No date has been set for the closure, but a new Multi Purpose Test Centre (MPTC) is due to open in Farnborough at the end of August, followed by one in Newbury at the start of 2009.

DSA spokesman Mike Watkinson said: "The MPTC sites require a significant amount of investment, and thus, it would not have been value for taxpayers' money to keep the Basingstoke facility just for driving."

He said that although learners would have to drive 18 miles to Farnborough or 17 miles to Newbury MPTCs, the changes met travel distance criteria laid down by the agency.

He added: "Learners will still be able to practise in Basingstoke because the driving test will test their ability to drive and not stick to one particular area."

The move has received criticism from local motoring action groups, instructors and learners, who are concerned that inexperienced drivers will be forced to use unfamiliar roads and will have to pay more for longer lessons.

Steve Lambourne, owner of Bournstone School of Motoring, based in Mulfords Hill, Tadley, said: "I think it's terrible - a lot of Basingstoke's learners will suffer.

"People who can only afford an hour a week will just manage to reach Newbury before they're forced to turn around and come back again without practising in the area where they will take their tests."

Andrew Howard, who is head of road safety for the Basingstoke-headquartered AA, said: "Basingstoke does have a good mix of traffic and is therefore a good place to be tested.

"The Government has decided that closing these centres will provide savings for the taxpayer, but it won't for people learning to drive if they want to take more lessons in the areas where they will be tested.

"It's a major loss to the people who use the centre."

Last year, 4,997 car and 572 motorcycle tests were taken at the Brighton Hill testing centre. Of those, 47.8 per cent of car drivers and 73.1 per cent of motorcyclists passed, compared with a national average of 44.3 per cent of car drivers and 66.5 per cent of motorcyclists.

The new European Community Directive dictates that, from September 29, the motorcycling test should feature new manoeuvres, including one undertaken at speeds of 30km/h (18.6mph) and two at 50km/h (31mph). The DSA said public consultation supported the move and ministers agreed the new tests should be delivered from a national network of about 60 off-road testing centres, costing in the region of £71million.

Mr Watkinson confirmed that the four-strong staff currently in Brighton Hill would be offered jobs at other centres.