Just to show how fast news can move, IW Radio carried some updated news about Motorbike testing on the Island this morning.
In fact the top story they ran at 8am was saying that there would be a motorbike testing centre opening on the Island.
Great news, and a big development, but given this was 180 degrees opposite from the story we ran late last night, our ears somewhat pricked up and we got on the phone to follow it up.
Here’s what we found
There are some very early stage discussions happening between the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Smallbrook Stadium. All very positive and we understand that this is down to the determined work of the Island’s Motorcycle Action Group (well done!).
This development isn’t something that the government Minister in charge of the DSA, Jim Fitzpatrick was aware of this when he answered Andrew Turner’s question in the House of Commons on Monday.
The official word is that the DSA aren’t looking for a Multi-Purpose Test Centre (MPTC) on the Island but for bike testing, the use of Smallbrook might be a go-er but no financial discussions have taken place between Smallbrook and the DSA yet.
What’s more, the DSA wouldn’t fund the whole thing themselves and the IW Council would need to jointly fund it.
Andrew Turner positive
Island MP, Andrew Turner, told VentnorBlog, “I welcome any steps toward keeping motorcycle testing on the Island.”
“I’ve spoken to Stephen Haddelsey, who is overseeing the new Multi-Purpose Test Centres over the whole of the UK, and he tells me that if Smallbrook Stadium is to be used, they have not yet worked out the cost of the work that will need to be done, nor agreed who will pay for it.”
We tried to contact Smallbrook stadium for a quote, but no one was able to comment at the time of publishing.
BTW, we’ve just heard the 11 o’clock news on IW Radio, who appear to be taking a far softer line on the story now, referring to “step being taken towards a testing centre on the Island.” No matter, it’s all good news if Islanders don’t need to drag themselves to the mainland to be tested.
image: Smallbrook Stadium by UK Running Track Directory
