A Tameside MP has said the response from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) regarding the opposition of plans to close down the only driving test centre in Tameside provides 'no meaningful reconsideration'.
Earlier this week, MPs Jonathan Reynolds, Angela Rayner, and Andrew Gwynne wrote to the DVSA objecting to plans to close down the Hyde centre in April.
The letter said the centre had ‘served the community well for many decades’ and its closure would result in Tameside residents having to go to Stockport or Oldham for their driving test.
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The MPs said in the letter: "At a period when waiting times for driving tests are already incredibly high, we ask that you please reconsider your decision to close this busy test centre in Tameside, a decision that will surely only put additional pressure on other locations already struggling to meet the demand."
Driving instructor Jim O'Connor, who runs Strive To Drive in Tameside, also launched an online petition urging the DVSA to reconsider the plans - with more than 4,600 signatures.
In a response to the MPs letter, DVSA Chief Executive Loveday Ryder confirmed the Hyde test centre would be permanently closing on April 10.
She said the lease for the Hyde centre on Perrin Street represented ‘poor value for money’ and was one of a number of centres flagged by the DVSA for closure.
Ms Ryder wrote: “I am sorry for the inconvenience and upset news of this closure has clearly caused.
“I would like to assure you and your constituents that we are committed to providing value for money to our fee-paying customers and offering the best, most efficient driving test service possible.
“Hyde test centre is one of a number of driving test centres where the lease is due to end soon, or there is another test centre nearby.
“Hyde test centre represents poor value for money and there are other centres within our distance to travel criteria that can absorb capacity, without reducing test capacity or slowing our recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are working with colleagues, driver trainers and customers to continue to provide a customer-centred service, while benefiting road safety and making efficiencies.
"No tests have been cancelled as a result of the closure, examiners will move to other test centres and the number of tests available locally will stay the same.”
The letter said that the nearest test centres for Tameside residents would now be in Bredbury - around 3.7 miles away - or Chadderton, which is 9.5 miles away.
Mr Reynolds, MP for Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley, Longdendale and Dukinfield, said while he welcomed the response, he said he was ‘frustrated by the suggestion that Bredbury is just around the corner’.
In a statement, Mr Reynolds said: “I appreciate the speedy response, but am very disappointed there has been no meaningful reconsideration.
“I’m pleased to be assured no tests will be cancelled, but frustrated by the suggestion that Bredbury is just around the corner. It isn’t to us.
“Driving instructors: please note they will be inviting you to a meeting soon. I hope you’ll be able to attend and share the impact this will have on you first hand.”
The response from the DVSA added that any tests affected by the closure of the Hyde centre would be moved to another local test centre, with those affected receiving an email notification confirming the new location.
Candidates can also amend the test centre location by visiting the GOV.UK website.
The DVSA added the number of driving tests in the area was set to increase following a successful examiner recruitment programme.
The letter concluded: “I appreciate this will not be the response your constituents will have hoped for, and I do understand how disappointed the local ADI’s will be about the closure.
“We will be holding a meeting for local ADI’s, which will be advertised at the driving test centre, in due course.”
The MPs letter to the DVSA can be read in full here, while the response from Ms Ryder can be read here.
