Is one ‘L’ of a victory
New centre base in East Kilbride
Learner drivers in East Kilbride are going places after a new test centre for the town was given the green light.
The part-time driving test centre, which will operate one day a week to begin with, will be based at the Legion Scotland in East Mains.
Tests will begin on February 10 after the part-time test centre run from Halfords in Kingsgate closed last July.
With students in East Kilbride facing long delays as waiting times at surrounding test centres continued to rise, local driving instructor and Legion Scotland East Kilbride branch committee member Bobby Russell began a campaign to have a test centre reinstated in the town.
East Kilbride MP Dr Lisa Cameron also called on the DVSA to find a new base.
The legion contacted the DVSA offering them the use of their premises and an assessment was carried out.
The agency have now confirmed the proposal has been given the go-ahead.
A delighted Bobby told the News: “We are over the moon the DVSA have accepted our offer and there will once again be a test centre in the town.
“It’s only one day a week for the moment but it’s a start and hopefully, all going well, it may be increased to two.
“It was absolutely ridiculous a town the size of East Kilbride was facing the prospect of not having its own test centre.
“The town has a population of 86,000 and it’s only going to get bigger. When I realised the Halfords test centre was closing, I was desperate to find another suitable premises.
“I thought the legion would be perfect and when I spoke to the rest of the committee they were fully supportive of the idea and backed me 100 per cent.
“Students were facing waiting times of around 20 weeks for a driving test and the costs involved mounting.
“Not only were they paying for more lessons but they also had to factor in the time it was taking them to get to a test centre, which could be half an hour to Hamilton or nearly an hour to Airdrie or centres nearer Glasgow.”
Edward Hayes, East Kilbride Legion Scotland branch chairman said: “We are very pleased to be able to support the DVSA in bringing driving tests back to East Kilbride.”
Peter Hearn, of the DVSA, said: “We are pleased to announce that driving tests will return to East Kilbride.
“This is a great example of how we can work with partners in the public and private sector to provide a service that is convenient as well as being cost effective.”