Driving instructors from across the North East came out in protest of the closure of a heavily used driving test centre in South Shields.
A convoy of around 40 cars arrived outside the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) practical centre on Bedesway, Bede Industrial Estate, just after 10am this morning (Monday) - after setting off on a 'go slow' protest from Sunderland City Centre.
After the South Shields-based centre's closure which is planned for April 10, learners will be forced to sit their practical tests at the Riverbank Road centre, 5.6 miles away, which protesters passed en route - where they may be unfamiliar with the roads and routes officials will take them on.
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At this morning's protest, the convoy made their presence and intentions clear, beeping their horns while passing slowly by the centre itself.
Then with picket signs displaying the messages 'Save our test centre' and 'Sign online' they continued their protest outside the centre.
The petition itself entitled 'SAVE SOUTH SHIELDS DRIVING TEST CENTRE' has received 4,325 signatures at the time of writing, with many signatories expressing concern at the DVSA's closure plans.
One petitioner wrote: "I don’t want to do my test in Sunderland as I don’t know the roads there and it’s unfair to us new drivers," while another, commented: "This impacts on so many young people who have had a torrid time of late. The last thing they need is yet another obstacle to their lives."
Driving instructor and spokesperson for the campaign Vikki Holt was present.
Speaking to Chronicle Live, she said: "We're here today to oppose the closure of the South Shields driving test centre by DVSA.
"It's a decision that's been made with no consultation to us whatsoever. Our MPs and leaders of our council are fighting this really hard, and they are hoping for a return.
"Today we've been out and we've had a protest drive. We've gone past Sunderland's driving test centre and we've finished up here in South Shields.
"We're hoping that this will show the residents of Sunderland exactly how many additional cars will be on their roads, should this closure go ahead.
"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.
"We have to stop this."
Jarrow MP Kate Osborne, South Shields MP Emma Lewell-Buck, and Leader of South Tyneside Council Tracey Dixon have all shown their support for the campaign, with Dixon also attending the protest this morning alongside driving instructors from across the North East.
Not only are more cars to be expected on the roads as a result of the closure, but many other negatives are also anticipated by instructors across the region.
Increased waiting lists for driving instructors and test 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.
Today's protest follows on from a previous event in late January, in which another forty vehicle strong convoy completed a 'go slow' demonstration between the test centre on Bede Industrial Estate and South Shields Town Hall.
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.
“We understand this change may cause an inconvenience for some, but we have worked hard to ensure that there is no change in the number of tests provided to local candidates, and no tests were lost as a result of the closure.
“It is vital that learners are prepared to drive safely on all types of road before taking their test, rather than simply learning driving test centre routes.”
The DVSA also confirmed that no tests have been cancelled or lost as a result of these changes, as driving examiners will be re-deployed to other surrounding centres.
It said centres will continue to provide the same number of tests as they have previously.
This also means there have been no job losses as a result of the closure.
