James Duddridge, Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East, has today received confirmation from Stephen Hammond, Minister of State for the Department of Transport, that Southend Driving Test Centre will be providing driving tests five days a week.
2008 saw a rigorous campaign supported by Essex MP’s, driving instructors and thousands of constituents to retain the driving test centre in Southend. Unfortunately this campaign was unsuccessful and the local test centre closed.
In 2011, James launched a campaign to get Southend included in a pilot scheme operating elsewhere in the UK which provided driving tests within community facilities. Mike Penning MP, the Minister at responsible at the time visited the Tickfield Centre in Southend to assess the suitability of the venue. During this visit the Minister confirmed Southend would be added to the pilot scheme.
In May 2012 the Driving Test Centre was officially opened and provided tests on Mondays and Fridays with a guarantee that should demand dictate, testing days would be increased. In August 2012 James received confirmation that as of 28th September 2012 three examiners would be available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
In June 2013 James met with Stephen Hammond MP to try and secure yet even further testing days to be offered as, at the time of the meeting, there was a 16 week waiting list for a test to be available in Southend.
James said
“I am absolutely delighted that Southend Driving Test Centre will be operational five days a week, this is fantastic news. I am thrilled that local residents have supported our local test centre and it is continuing to go from strength to strength. When I speak to local driving instructors and learner drivers they have nothing but praise for our local facility and I know that they too will be thrilled with the news.”