Author: simon
Closest Island Motorbike Test 4 Hours Away: Andrew Turner (Podcast)
Wednesday, 9th July, 2008 at 6:27 pm, Isle of Wight
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
Photo: Steve Parker
Island-wide, Law & Order, Overseas, podcast
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July 9th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
When i see the riding and driving skills of oveneers on our quite country roads I think they should take their tests over here, that is the only way some are likely to get proper road sence and handling skills
July 9th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
You tell ‘em, Farmersboy. There’s nothing like a good dose parochialism.
July 10th, 2008 at 9:11 am
There seems to be an influx of ex-IWight.Com forum posters, whose views were largely ignored there, so they are trying their luck here.
This pal of Noddys said that the Beaufort Scale was logarithmic!!!
He was put right by someone who knows their subject.
Best to ignore it Farmersboy.
On a happier note, I believe that a test centre is likely to be approved shortly thanks to Dave Pavitt at Smallbrook Stadium.
July 10th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
“the Beaufort Scale was logarithmic”
Probably confusing it with the Richter Scale, but not as daft as it sounds, as the destructiveness of the wind follows something like a square law WRT speed. A quick Google found this:
http://www.taxi1010.com/blackpool/we-all-fall-down.htm