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Traffic chaos fear in Chippenham over tests move
1:35pm Wednesday 14th May 2008
Hundreds more learner drivers could clog the roads of Chippenham if plans to shut the Trowbridge test centre go ahead.
The Driving Standards Agency has announced plans to shut the centre in September and redirect all tests to Chippenham at Cavalier Court, Bumpers Farm Industrial Estate.
The news has caused a backlash from driving instructors, pupils and residents who fear the massive influx of learners could clog the town's busiest roads.
North Wiltshire MP James Gray, who took part in a protest outside Chippenham test centre on Friday, said: "If the Trowbridge test centre closes, all the people from the north of the county will come to Chippenham.
"The streets will be clogged up with learner drivers. I have already had complaints from residents in Monkton Park because instructors use the quieter roads there.
Mr Gray said he had heard rumours that the next step would be to close Chippenham test centre and send learners to Swindon.
"Why should be people driving for one hour just to start their driving lessons?" he asked.
The Chippenham test centre examines up to eight people a day and this is predicted to more than double if the move goes ahead.
Instructor Roger Brunt said: "The effect could be catastrophic and put a huge strain on Chippenham roads.
"The industrial estate already has very heavy traffic with lorries and vans and this move could cripple the place.
"Not only will this mean an increase in the number of driving tests, but more and more learners will have to drive into Chippenham to practise.
"If the DSA really believes that closing Trowbridge would not cause a problem for candidates, then let it at least go through a formal consultation in line with its own guidelines - that would give both sides a chance to make their case."
People living near the Chippenham test centre have also attacked the decision.
Aaron Sherwell, 55, who lives in Lords Mead, said: "I think this decision is ridiculous and will just cause a traffic nightmare.
"Every day we have learners around our streets.
"I know everyone has to learn somewhere, but the numbers of drivers they are talking about is just plain stupid.
"I am glad that the instructors are making a stand. They have the full support of local people."
A spokesman for the DSA said: "Chippenham driving test centre will easily absorb the demand from Trowbridge without affecting waiting times."
The latest protests follow a rally on April 25 outside the doomed centre in Trowbridge.
Your Say YourGazette
rosco, Chippenham says...
5:21pm Wed 14 May 08
ahudspith wrote:I agree, very low number to worry about. But I would say that it doesn't sound so reasonable to make people have to go to Chippenham from Trowbridge to do their test, especially considering that Trowbridge is where the county hall is!
Pointless whinging.
If we need to make cost savings by closing Trowbridge then so be it.
Tests will double ... from 8 to 16!!!
Whoo ... 8 extra cars on the road. I take it all back - this could cause chaos.
Pathetic.
tghewett, Chippenham says...
9:32pm Wed 14 May 08
Tax Payer, Chippenham says...
1:38am Thu 15 May 08
blonde with brains, Chippenham says...
1:30pm Thu 15 May 08
ahudspith wrote:i can see your point of view. however thats 8 extra cars for tests only. Think of all the learn drivers on lesson will have to come to chippenham to practice. Also it won't just be trowbridge it will be all the surrounding areas that use trowbridge.
Pointless whinging. If we need to make cost savings by closing Trowbridge then so be it. Tests will double ... from 8 to 16!!! Whoo ... 8 extra cars on the road. I take it all back - this could cause chaos. Pathetic.
TonyJanson, Chippenham says...
10:12pm Thu 15 May 08
blonde with brains wrote:BLONDIE: Anyone having to be tested in a "strange" town will need several lessons just before test day to learn the roads. Half an hour is normal for a qualified driver to drive from Trowbridge to Chippenham so a pupil will have to pay a driving school for two hours instead of one !
ahudspith wrote: Pointless whinging. If we need to make cost savings by closing Trowbridge then so be it. Tests will double ... from 8 to 16!!! Whoo ... 8 extra cars on the road. I take it all back - this could cause chaos. Pathetic.i can see your point of view. however thats 8 extra cars for tests only. Think of all the learn drivers on lesson will have to come to chippenham to practice. Also it won't just be trowbridge it will be all the surrounding areas that use trowbridge.
Loquax, Chippenham says...
8:35am Fri 16 May 08
TonyJanson wrote:If you can drive, you can drive, whether it be a 'strange' town or one you are familiar with. You are either a competent driver and will pass your test, or you are not?
blonde with brains wrote:BLONDIE: Anyone having to be tested in a "strange" town will need several lessons just before test day to learn the roads. Half an hour is normal for a qualified driver to drive from Trowbridge to Chippenham so a pupil will have to pay a driving school for two hours instead of one !ahudspith wrote: Pointless whinging. If we need to make cost savings by closing Trowbridge then so be it. Tests will double ... from 8 to 16!!! Whoo ... 8 extra cars on the road. I take it all back - this could cause chaos. Pathetic.i can see your point of view. however thats 8 extra cars for tests only. Think of all the learn drivers on lesson will have to come to chippenham to practice. Also it won't just be trowbridge it will be all the surrounding areas that use trowbridge.
shamrock, Staverton says...
8:31am Sun 25 May 08
Loquax wrote:Chippenham Test Centre will actually be able to take (at least) 8 cars per test and there are 8 test times per day. This is double the number of cars per test than there can be now so there will be on average 32 additional driving test cars on Chippenham roads per day. In addition to this, taking into account that there are 8000 tests per annum at Trowbridge (double the Chippenham number) and most of these will move to Chippenham as a very rough guestimate I reckon there could be around an additional 25 driving school cars around Chippenham (especially A350, Shaldon Rd, Bridge Centre Roundabout, Monkton Park, Fowlswick, Corsham) at any one time. So that's around an additional 30 learner cars driving around the above mentioned areas in Chippenham at any one time. Please remember that these instructors and pupils also want to stay in and around Trowbridge (so were all on the same side!).
TonyJanson wrote:If you can drive, you can drive, whether it be a 'strange' town or one you are familiar with. You are either a competent driver and will pass your test, or you are not?blonde with brains wrote:BLONDIE: Anyone having to be tested in a "strange" town will need several lessons just before test day to learn the roads. Half an hour is normal for a qualified driver to drive from Trowbridge to Chippenham so a pupil will have to pay a driving school for two hours instead of one !ahudspith wrote: Pointless whinging. If we need to make cost savings by closing Trowbridge then so be it. Tests will double ... from 8 to 16!!! Whoo ... 8 extra cars on the road. I take it all back - this could cause chaos. Pathetic.i can see your point of view. however thats 8 extra cars for tests only. Think of all the learn drivers on lesson will have to come to chippenham to practice. Also it won't just be trowbridge it will be all the surrounding areas that use trowbridge.
shamrock, Staverton says...
8:36am Sun 25 May 08
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Protesters at Trowbridge driving test centre
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ahudspith, Chippenham says...
4:32pm Wed 14 May 08
If we need to make cost savings by closing Trowbridge then so be it.
Tests will double ... from 8 to 16!!!
Whoo ... 8 extra cars on the road. I take it all back - this could cause chaos.
Pathetic.