We always try to keep one eye open for what the Island’s MP, Andrew Turner, is up to in the House of Commons.
He’s frequently fighting the corner for the Isle of Wight and it’s inhabitants. This week is no exception.
Due to new Europe-wide legislation, the way that the motorcycle tests are carried out in the future will need to change. Sadly the Island is coming off pretty badly.
The situation isn’t helped by what Andrew refers to as the “gold plating,” that the UK Government is adding to Europe’s requirements.
Super test centres
If you’ve been listening to the news over the last couple of weeks, you’ll have heard about the proposals for poly-clinics – essentially doctor’s clinics that have been super-sized.
Now the Government wants to do the same with driving testing centres, but they call them Multi-Purpose Test Centres.
The department in charge of this has looked at having a centre on the Wight, but came to the conclusion that the costs would be too high, so Islanders will need to head to the mainland for testing.
Andrew Turner points out that surely the testing can be carried out on the Island roads, where there are plenty of quiet roads that could fit the bill.
It would seem to make sense, as the bikers-to-be will be riding around on the public roads not test centres if/when they pass.
The officials are having none of it and come 29 September 2008, if you want to take your motorbike test, you’ll have to drag yourself over to either Lee-on-the-Solent or Poole on the mainland.
Four hour round journey
Those who estimate such things for the government, have calculated that this will take around two hours to get there including the ferry travel time – four hours there and back.
Beside the seemingly-ever increasing price of fuel that will have to be spent on the journey, bike virgins will also need to have to cough up for the ferry fare.
The official word from the government is that
The intention is that most candidates should be able to reach a test centre within 30-45 minutes, travelling no more than 20 miles.
Clearly the situation for Islanders falls well outside this.
Sticking on provisional licenses?
Andrew’s concern is that with a possible four hour journey with the cost of the fuel and ferry to contend with, those learning to ride a motorbike, in particular the young, will stay on their provisional licenses for as long as possible.
The government line is that they don’t accept that this will cause more illegal riding.
Have a listen to Andrew Turner talking about it …
Sorry the audio isn’t up to our normal high standards – pesky phones, don’t you know
[audio:http://otw-audio.s3.amazonaws.com/andrew-turner-motorbike-testing.mp3]
Photo: Steve Parker
