‘Feeble’ answer fuels fightback against closure
DRIVING instructors from across the North East are continuing to protest the closure of a heavily used driving test centre in South Shields.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said they are closing the centre because other nearby centres can accommodate tests and it would cut costs.
However, local instructor Vikki Holt has labelled the cost-cutting argument “feeble” after submitting an Freedom of Information request which found the costs associated with running the South Shields centre amount to just £10,325 a year.
She estimates the cost to the South Tyneside economy, meanwhile, to be more than £2m a year, taking into consideration the extra cost to pupils and instructors as a result of increased commuting time and fuel.
She said: “Every time we go to the DVSA to dispute their reasons, they come back with something else. They are a seemingly unstoppable force in the face of closure, which will spell problems for the region.
“With this FOI, we’ve determined that cost-cutting is a feeble excuse for closure. Especially given that we estimate the profit from the centre to be more than £250k per annum.
“South Tyneside council have a team working on finding an alternative location in South Shields, but they will struggle to get something cheaper than this.”
The DVSA said they do not “recognise the costs calculated” as they do not take into account “other overhead costs” with providing driving tests.
The practical centre on Bedesway, Bede Industrial Estate, is planned to close on April 10.
Learners will be forced to sit their practical tests at the Riverbank Road centre, 5.6 miles away, where they may be unfamiliar with the roads and routes officials will take them on.
Campaigners say the decision was made without consultation with those affected, with Jarrow MP Kate Osborne, South Shields MP Emma Lewell-buck, and Leader of South Tyneside Council Tracey Dixon all working to overturn the decision.
Vikki added: “It’s going to have a massive, negative financial cost impact to South Tyneside, it’s going to massively impact our carbon footprint to the region, and it’s going to disadvantage the people of South Tyneside for generations to come.”
Increased waiting lists for driving instructors and tests are expected should the closure go ahead, both have already been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic, and there is also a possibility of skilled instructors and examiners leaving the industry altogether due to changes.
A DVSA spokesperson said: “We have made the decision to close the South Shields driving test centre, as there are other nearby centres where the same services can be relocated and there is no change in the number of tests provided to local candidates.
“Learners do not have to incur extra costs travelling to test centres to learn to drive. With more than half of candidates failing their driving test and having to pay for more lessons and take another test, it is safer and better to be properly prepared to drive on any road, before attempting it in the first place.
“All tests are carried out to the same standard so it is vital that learners have the skills to be able to drive safely on all roads and should be able to pass their test anywhere, rather than simply learning driving test routes.”
Vikki said in response: “It doesn’t work like this in reality, an online poll we’ve conducted shows that 92.6% of people said they wouldn’t be happy taking tests on a route they aren’t familiar with.”