James Duddridge, Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East has launched a campaign to bring back a Driving Test Centre to Southend.
James said
I actively campaigned in 2008 to prevent the closure of Southend’s Driving Test Centre. There was substantial media coverage and support for the campaign however, we were unsuccessful and the centre was closed. I for one was outraged at the decision.
During the campaign one of the concerns raised, not just by me but by driving instructors and assessors, was that as a direct result of the closer the Southend Centre, drivers would experience extensive delays in securing a test at Basildon. It would seem that unfortunately these concerns are now a reality. Learner drivers are having to travel much further afield due to the extensive delays in securing tests in Basildon, many travel as far as to Clacton to undertake the test.
It came to my attention that the Driving Standards Agency launched a pilot scheme earlier this year whereby they were looking at whether driving tests can be carried out from alternative venues including local authority buildings, hotels or leisure centres. As soon as I was made aware of this I wrote to Mike Penning MP, Minister of State for Transport and also Rosemary Thew, Chief Executive of the Driving Standards Agency, requesting that Southend be added to this scheme.
I am delighted that the Echo is supporting my campaign to bring back Southend Driving Test Centre. I would urge constituents to write to me and support this campaign. The more people that write to me the better and the more people that support the campaign who can provide evidence or experiences as a result of the Southend Centre closing the more hopeful I am we can be successful.”
ENDS