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Driving centre consultation process comes under fire
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| Basingstoke driving test centre |
CRITICISM has been levelled at the consultation process which affected the decision to close Basingstoke's driving test centre.
Last week, The Gazette revealed the test centre in Brighton Hill will shut as it is not big enough to meet new European Union rules about motorcycle testing that come into force in September.
The new regulations require more space for motorcycle riders to perform complicated manoeuvres that must be off public roads.
Although the Basingstoke centre would still be suitable for car tests, Driving Standards Agency (DSA) bosses insist it is not cost-effective to keep it open just for car drivers.
No date has been set for the closure of the Basingstoke centre, but a new Multi-Purpose Test Centre (MPTC) is due to open in Farnborough at the end of August, and will be followed by another in Newbury at the start of 2009.
This week, The Gazette discovered that the DSA national public consultation on introducing new motorcycle manoeuvres was conducted more than five years ago - and it received little response.
In 2002, about 1,000 copies of the consultation paper were sent out nationally by the DSA to bodies and individuals interested in the training, testing and safety of learner motorcyclists, of which only 120 were returned. A copy was also made available on the DSA's website.
In 2005, the DSA revised its procedures for public consultation - but excluded the MPTC consultation. The decision was subsequently made to deliver the new tests at MPTCs from a national
network of about 60 off-road test centres, costing in the region of £71million.
Thousands of Basingstoke motorcycle and car instructors and inexperienced learners will be forced to travel to Newbury or Farnborough when the Basingstoke centre closes.
Tony Young, chairman of the southern region of the British Motorcycle Foundation, said: "The consultation process was practically non-existent, carried out years ago, and failed to take into account the views of people who are really affected.
"My concern is that, with a decision that will force inexperienced drivers to travel long distances on unfamiliar roads, a proper consultation hasn't even been conducted.
"I've spoken with many members who said why haven't they asked us?' We've made many representations to the DSA, but it seems that they've made their decision and are hell-bent on seeing it through."
Basingstoke MP Maria Miller has described the decision to close the driving test centre in Brighton Hill as "absolute madness".
She said: "There are a thousand homes being built in Basingstoke each year and we need to give more support for services - not take them away.
"No one from the area locally was consulted over the decision and I've written to the ministers responsible and asked them to explain themselves.
"To ask all these inexperienced drivers to travel along the A339, which has a very bad safety record, is crazy - especially at a time when petrol prices are going through the roof and they will have to make longer journeys. This is a clear case of a lack of joined-up thinking."
9:47am Thursday 12th June 2008
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CommentPosted by: Tony, farnborough on 10:44am Thu 12 Jun 08
The roads where we are in Farnborough are already heavily used by Learner driver schools and local School parked cars now they say many more will come to Farnborough well how about thinking of the Residents as well. Seven days a week First light to late evening we get them . Granted you have to learn Somewhere but this needs looking at .
The roads where we are in Farnborough are already heavily used by Learner driver schools and local School parked cars now they say many more will come to Farnborough well how about thinking of the Residents as well. Seven days a week First light to late evening we get them . Granted you have to learn Somewhere but this needs looking at .
Posted by: Stephen Reid, Home on 3:34pm Thu 12 Jun 08
It strikes me that there must be many places in Basingstoke where a building and space could be made available. Unless the Driving Standards Agency can provide evidence of having investigated alternatives in Basingstoke, this simply looks like another cost-cutting measure where Basingstoke's services are eroded at the same time as we are forced to take extra homes.
Post offices closing... doctors' surgeries being cancelled or closed ... driving test centre closing ... these are all parts of the infrastructure without which the quality of life in Basingstoke is eroded.
It strikes me that there must be many places in Basingstoke where a building and space could be made available. Unless the Driving Standards Agency can provide evidence of having investigated alternatives in Basingstoke, this simply looks like another cost-cutting measure where Basingstoke's services are eroded at the same time as we are forced to take extra homes.
Post offices closing... doctors' surgeries being cancelled or closed ... driving test centre closing ... these are all parts of the infrastructure without which the quality of life in Basingstoke is eroded.
Posted by: angie, basingstoke on 10:37am Sat 14 Jun 08
Yet more evidence of Basingstoke being commuter town?
Madness
Yet more evidence of Basingstoke being commuter town?
Madness
Posted by: Billy Nomates, Basingstoke on 9:09pm Sat 14 Jun 08
Stephen Reid, Home on 3:34pm Thu 12 Jun 08
[quote]It strikes me[/quote]
To live in such cruel hope.
Stephen Reid, Home on 3:34pm Thu 12 Jun 08
It strikes me
To live in such cruel hope.
Posted by: Carlos Tilbury, overton on 12:27pm Sun 15 Jun 08
You are right cllr Ried, rat catcher, dog Wardens, Coummunity Wardens, grafitti cleaners all these services going, tragic in my book, but as soon as those houses start appearing on Manydown then we'll need a new test centre!
You are right cllr Ried, rat catcher, dog Wardens, Coummunity Wardens, grafitti cleaners all these services going, tragic in my book, but as soon as those houses start appearing on Manydown then we'll need a new test centre!
Posted by: Billy Nomates, Basingstoke on 7:51am Mon 16 Jun 08
Carlos Tilbury, overton on 12:27pm Sun 15 Jun 08
[quote]...as those houses start appearing on Manydown then we'll need a new test centre![/quote]
Rubbish. They are ideally placed for access onto the Newbury Road.
Carlos Tilbury, overton on 12:27pm Sun 15 Jun 08
...as those houses start appearing on Manydown then we'll need a new test centre!
Rubbish. They are ideally placed for access onto the Newbury Road.
Posted by: David, Chineham on 5:54pm Wed 18 Jun 08
Even if the new regulations should fall, this shouldn't happen. Considering that car tests outsell motorcycle exams by 10:1, and cost more each anyway, it's incredibly surprising that the DSA seem to think that it is not cost effective enough to keep it open, unless they are either trying to use it as an excuse to get rid of a financial burden of a single test centre, or are just being plain thick. I suspect the former.
More houses, less infrastructure... what happened to the days when our decision makers had solid brains? (I don't really mean our Borough Council, and certainly not you Cllr Reid) Something has got to be done!
Even if the new regulations should fall, this shouldn't happen. Considering that car tests outsell motorcycle exams by 10:1, and cost more each anyway, it's incredibly surprising that the DSA seem to think that it is not cost effective enough to keep it open, unless they are either trying to use it as an excuse to get rid of a financial burden of a single test centre, or are just being plain thick. I suspect the former.
More houses, less infrastructure... what happened to the days when our decision makers had solid brains? (I don't really mean our Borough Council, and certainly not you Cllr Reid) Something has got to be done!
Posted by: Billy Nomates, Basingstoke on 7:01am Thu 19 Jun 08
The DSA are missing the obvious. As far as cars go, you don't need test centres at all. They are just waiting rooms and car parks.
How about the examiner goes to the clients home address and conducts the test from their? Simple enough - just give the examiner a car! They are 'expert' drivers, after all.
Then create the 'regional' centres for the minority tests such as motorbikes, lorries and buses - where there is a real need for a facility for manoeuvres etc.
The DSA are missing the obvious. As far as cars go, you don't need test centres at all. They are just waiting rooms and car parks.
How about the examiner goes to the clients home address and conducts the test from their? Simple enough - just give the examiner a car! They are 'expert' drivers, after all.
Then create the 'regional' centres for the minority tests such as motorbikes, lorries and buses - where there is a real need for a facility for manoeuvres etc.
Posted by: David, Chineham on 3:25pm Thu 19 Jun 08
I can't help but agree. Just as long as they have their own place set aside for doing the off-road testing.
I can't help but agree. Just as long as they have their own place set aside for doing the off-road testing.
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