LEARNER drivers face chaos after Hyde’s driving test centre was earmarked for closure.
And Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency bosses have not helped the mood by suggesting Bredbury is ‘just around the corner’ – it is four miles away.
Sunday, April 10 will see the Perrin Street site close its doors for the final time, meaning dozens of Tameside-based teachers face having to move tests to either Bredbury in Stockport or Chadderton in Oldham.
None will be cancelled because of the sudden decision but that has not quelled anger, not least because of the effect on learners, who provide an estimated £496,000 a year in test fees.
Stephanie Mistry, chief executive of Ashton-based Strive To Drive, said: “They say Hyde test centre isn’t value for money – you can’t get a test there, or anywhere else, for months.
“There are areas in Hyde that if you didn’t know them, you would not pass your test.
“And if we took a learner to test and they fail in the first two minutes, the examiner’s first question will be, ‘Why have you never brought them around this area?’
“So if the DVSA is saying that, that goes against what the examiners think.
“Another issue is the DVSA says the examiners will be relocated but not all will be to Bredbury or Chadderton. Some are going to Buxton, we’re not going to take Tameside students there.
“And if I’m using Bredbury test centre, I’d be condensing students around Denton, what if you live in Mossley?
“The DVSA could employ another eight examiners at Hyde and I could guarantee that all tests would be booked due to the demand being so high.”
A number of others are protesting the decision – there are concerns over what will happen to the building once it is sold.
They will have the chance to voice their grievances after the DVSA indicated to Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds they will meet them.
But that does not calm concerns, with more than 5,000 people signing a petition set up by Jim O’Connor, who founded Strive to Drive.
He added: “The DVSA should be working with instructors to find a solution to the waiting lists for tests, not making decisions to close centres without prior consultation.
“Many instructors have said they’ll leave the industry if this closure goes ahead, adding further pressure to instructors and meaning longer waiting lists for lessons in the local area.
“Araes will also become no-go areas for instructors as they’ll be deemed too far from a test centre to make lessons viable. Every driving instructor, if they held their hand out, would admit they take learners on test routes.
“The problem is with the DVSA, it seems to be a ‘them and us’ situation. They don’t seem to want to work with us on it. They just made the decision while al 18 weeks they make tests available for are completely booked up, it’s never been busier.”
Mr Reynolds said he is, ‘frustrated by the suggestion that Bredbury is just around the corner. It isn’t to us.’
Such is the worry among instructors and learners, the borough’s three MPs – Mr Reynolds, Andrew Gwynne and Angela Rayner – wrote to the DVSA expressing their anger.
They said: “The Hyde centre is the only test centre in the borough and it has served the community well for many decades.
“To close this centre will mean Tameside residents will be forced to use test centres in Oldham and Stockport and, as we are sure you can appreciate, this has caused immense anxiety and concern for driving instructors and pupils.
“At a period when waiting times for driving tests are already incredibly high, we ask that you please reconsider your decision to close this busy test centre in Tameside, a decision that will surely only put additional pressure on other locations already struggling to meet the demand.”
The DVSA responded to Mr Reynolds, insisting there would not be a rethink.
However, chief executive Loveday Ryder did reveal she is willing to meet instructors
face to face.
But she replied: “Hyde test centre is one of a number of driving test centres where the lease is due to end soon, or there is another test centre nearby.
“Hyde test centre represents poor value for money and there are other centres in our distance to travel criteria that can absorb capacity, without reducing test capacity or slowing our recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“No tests will be cancelled as a result of the closure, examiners will move to other test centres and the number of tests available locally will stay the same.
“Your constituents might like to be aware that we have been continuing our examiner recruitment programme and following successful completion of their training, new entrant examiners will be conducting driving tests in this area.
“This will increase the number of driving tests available.
“I can assure you that our customers will still receive the same service from the nearby centres.
“Candidates can practise on any road and do not need to learn to drive on roads close to any particular test centre.
“I appreciate this will not be the response your constituents will have hoped for and I do understand how disappointed the local ADIs (driving instructors) will be about the closure.
“We will be holding a meeting for local ADIs, which will be advertised at the driving test centre, in due course.”
After receiving the letter, Mr Reynolds issued a rallying call, adding: “I’m very disappointed there has been no meaningful reconsideration but I’m pleased to be assured no tests will be cancelled.
“Driving instructors: please note they will inviting you to a meeting soon. I hope you’ll be able to attend and share the impact this will have on you first hand.”
SIGN THE PETITION HERE: https://www.change.org/p/driver-and-vehicle-standards-agency-save-hyde-driving-test-centre fbclid=IwAR0XWYneJA3jTVsw45OktfRS4SfiOZUba1sk_3hHNcAP0821l5ftj0agvNI