Subject: Future of the Clacton On Sea driving test centre
Dear Mr Carswell
With regard to the above matter, I cannot understand in these days of "carbon footprints" how the DSA can consider moving The Clacton Test Centre 16-26 miles to Colchester. Not only will the Instructors have to travel further for Tests but the lessons that our clients will have to undertake also add to the footprint.
Unemployment in Clacton is now the highest since 1972 and will rise even further with the loss of the test centre. Several Instructors have implied that they will not extend their licences to instruct and we have heard about the Hotels etc.
The Tendring area is also one of the most deprived areas not only in Essex but the Country. I know and thank you for your efforts in dealing with this subject, but I feel the DSA are not considering the whole picture.
Who can we claim on for the loss of business? the Welfare State!
How are our youngsters going to find the extra money for lessons?
How much business will the DSA lose because our clients haven't sufficient funds to not only continue lessons but to start in the first place.
How will the police cope when our youngsters, in particular males, decide to flout the law and drive anyway.? Who is going to pick up the bill for the increase in accidents?
As far as I'm concerned the DSA couldn't care less!!!!
regards Robert DaviesFurther to Lynette Clarke's letter of 16 February, I can now reply to your letter of 11 February about Clacton-on-Sea driving test centre.
>I should advise you that my letter of 2 December last year contained incorrect information. I said that we had never considered Gorse Lane as a location for a test centre; but we did, in fact, consider a property at Brunei Court, on Gorse Lane industrial estate. I am sorry for any confusion this has caused.
I can confirm that the lease on the existing Clacton-on-Sea test centre expires in June next year. I can also tell you that we have revisited plans to relocate within the town, to improve the facilities we offer our customers and staff.
Negotiations are currently taking place to acquire alternative accommodation for a term of 10 years, with an option to break at year five. This would meet our need to have both security of tenure and the flexibility to react to any changes which might in the future render the premises operationally unsuitable.
Yours sincerely
Rosemary Thew Chief ExecutiveDouglas Carswell MP House of Commons LONDON SW1A OAA
our ref: IA/02907/08
2 December 2008
Dear Mr Carswell
Further to David Grimley's letter of 18 November, I can now reply to your letter of 13 November about the future of Clacton-on-Sea driving test centre (DTC).
Jim Fitzpatrick, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, wrote to you on 25 September about the future of Clacton-on-Sea DTC and I can confirm that our position remains unchanged. I have enclosed a copy of the letter for your information.
We have to look at many factors when deciding if a potential DTC site is suitable. Our preferred requirements are summarised below:
Ground floor accommodation must have Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant access
Office space capable of accommodating the required number of staff based on a
space standard of 11m3 per person
Male and female staff toilets, one of which should be DDA compliant
Kitchen facilities
Two waiting areas
Male and female customer toilets, one of which should be DDA compliant
Shower room
Store room
Welfare room
Two dedicated off street parking areas, preferably with separate access and exit
points.
As far as location is concerned, a DTC should have access to and from national speed limit roads (non-motorway) and a variety of traffic hazards and road conditions close by. Ideally, any premises should not be near schools, emergency service buildings or areas prone to congestion.
You asked why we are no longer considering Gorse Lane as a potential site for a DTC We
have never considered Gorse Lane; however, if you let me know what led you to think we were, I can look into the matter for you.
Yours sincerely
Rosemary Thew Chief ExecutiveJohn Hawkins Chief Executive
Tendring District Council
Town Hall
Station Road
Clacton on Sea Essex
CO151SE
I am writing to you because I was recently approached by a number of Driving Instructors from Clacton who are very concerned about the future of the Clacton Driving Test Centre. I gather that the site will be maintained until 2010, but that no assurances have been given thereafter. Is there anyway in which we could have a meeting with officials from TDC, and with Julie Hartigan from the local Driving Instructor Association, and myself to discuss if there is anything the Council can do to try to help us find a suitable site for the Clacton Driving Test Centre after 2010. I would be most grateful if you could please look into this and let me know.
Warm regards
Douglas Carswell MP
Member of Parliament for Harwich and Clacton
CC Julie Hartigan
The Rt Hon Ruth Kelly MP
Secretary of State for Transport
Department for Transport
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London
SW1P4DR
I am writing to you because I am extremely concerned about the future of the Driving Test Centre in Clacton. I gather that the Test Centre will be kept open until 2010, but thereafter it may well close. As you can imagine there are a number of people and small businesses in Clacton who would be affected by any such change. A number of people have contacted me to express their concerns and try to find out more detail. Driving Instructors could lose business, and Bed and Breakfasts and other small businesses could loose out if this closure was to go ahead. Could you please let me know if the Clacton Driving Test Centre's future is guaranteed until 2010, and what the options might be thereafter? If a suitable site was found in Clacton, would it be possible to guarantee that Clacton would continue to have a Driving Test Centre after the closure of the current site. I would be very grateful if you could look into this and perhaps provide some assurances which I could then pass onto my concerned constituents. I look forward to hearing from you.
Warm regards,
Douglas Carswell MPCC Julie Hartigan
Rosemary Thew
Chief Executive
Driving Standards Agency
Stanley House
56 Talbot Street
Nottingham
NG15GU
05 June 2008
I am writing to you on behalf of Mrs Hartigan of the Clacton and District Driving Instructors. Apparently, the CDDI have been told about proposals to close the current Clacton driving test centre, and move it to the Gorse Lane Industrial Estate because the current premises are unsuitable. Mrs Hartigan has told me that the CDDI are concerned that they are not being told the truth because the lease on the current test centre runs out this month, but there is no sign of any work taking place on the site in question. I would be grateful if you could provide clarification as to which site you intend to use and what assurances can you provide Mrs Hartigan and her many co-workers that the driving test centre will not be closed down? I look forward to your reply.
Warm regards,
Douglas Carswell MP
Member of Parliament for Harwich and Clacton