1-driver teachers call off blockade
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• HGV driving instructors representing driver training schools from the Midlands have abandoned plans to blockade the Nottingham testing centre in protest at five-week delays for HGV tests.
At a meeting earlier this week, Driving Standards Agency area manager Christine Norris was able to persuade the instructors from Nottingham, Lincoln and Derby to call off their blockade—the trainers had threatened to stop all vehicles entering the site.
Ian Treece, proprietor of Ian Treece HGV Training Services in Nottingham, says his three instructors are on short time because trainees cannot be booked.
"There's no point in starting the training because we can't get a test," he says. "It's worse if they fail. For each week they wait, they're likely to need another five hours' training. After three weeks they might as well book another course."
At the meeting Norris acknowledged that five weeks was unacceptable, but told the trainers that testing in the area is 40% down on expected levels this year and resources had been adjusted to reflect that. A plan haS been drawn up to ensure that the test delay would not extend beyond three weeks; more tests will be arranged at Watnall from 18 August.
The instructors believe three weeks is still too long. They accept that the DSA has taken steps to resolve their problem, but doubt that enough tests can be made available to keep the wheels rolling.
However, they say they an prepared to give the DSA chance to find a local solution.