Driving Tests to Return to Trowbridge
By jodehumphries | Tuesday, June 28, 2011, 19:53
In a sharp U-turn, the government has announced that driving tests will once again take place in Trowbridge. There have been numerous campaigns to reopen the Trowbridge test centre after it was closed in 2008 by the Driving Standards Agency. The closure of the centre has meant for the last three years, learners have had to make their way to Chippenham to take their tests.
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Change in decision for Trowbridge driving tests.
The announcement follows Drive Slow protests which have been took place in Trowbridge and Westbury on 24th June of this year.
Driving instructor Gary Fossey of Shamrock Driving School and leader of the Campaign to Reopen Trowbridge Driving Test Centre, who took part in the protests, told the BBC: "I'm delighted the government has acknowledged the decision to close Trowbridge driving test centre was ill-advised."
The protest led to a meeting with Wiltshire Conservative MP, Dr Andrew Murrison, who then contacted Transport Minister Mike Penning and pressed for an early decision on the return of driving tests in Trowbridge.
The decision to return driving tests to Trowbridge is part of a trial scheme to provide examinations in areas that do not currently have a test centre.
Penning said: "I want us to be more flexible and innovative in delivering driving tests to make sure that we are offering people the best service possible wherever they live. Our aim is to provide a more local service that is both convenient for candidates and cost effective."
Comments
It must be a nightmare for all the people that have had to do it. But despite the test centre not being there, the driving instructors still use the Wiltshire Drive area for lessons as there is always learner cars about. It will be interesting to see if there is an increase in the number of people learning to drive when it opens.
I'm not sure if they are going to use the same location, or set up elsewhere - you can't really see if anything else has gone in by the doctors and dentist.
By jodehumphries at 16:05 on 30/06/11
ReportI think this is brilliant. My sister had to take her test in Chippenham (twice as she failed 1st time) which was a real pain for her. I hope it works and it stays open this time.
By Debs1000 at 09:39 on 30/06/11
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