"Hell on roads" with new Bay Test Centre

A new super driving test centre bringing more than three times as many learner cars to the streets of Herne Bay opens on Monday. The multi-purpose centre in Broomfield is ready for action after the old venue in Sea Street closed its doors last Thursday. There are currently three tests per hour in the town but instructors say this will rise to 10 when the new centre opens.

The Broadstairs test centre also closed last week so novice drivers from Margate, Ramsgate, Birchington, Sandwich and Sheppey will all have to travel to Herne Bay to bag their licence – resulting in more than 300 extra tests a week. Driving Instructor Diana Dooner, of Diana's Driving School, will be attending an open day at the new centre today but says others may boycott it. She said:

"I can see a lot of instructors not turning up because they're not happy with the new centre. We've been kept completely in the dark by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA), who appear to want to keep the whole thing low-profile. I only found out about the opening date after reading a notice on the wall at the Broadstairs centre. It seems they've chosen to open in the winter because it's the quiet season, but come the summer the roads will be hell."

As well as driving tests, the new centre off the Thanet Way will cater for learner motorcyclists after the closure of facilities in Broadstairs. Diana says the opening could lead to a backlash against learner drivers and instructors, and fears the problem will only get worse.

"We're already being targeted by locals as a menace on the roads despite the fact we live here and pay our taxes like everyone else. There are literally hundreds of illegal cars on the streets of Herne Bay and the owners are the menaces who should be targeted. We already get grief when there are three tests an hour so imagine the hostility when this increases to 10. And I'm pretty sure the DSA will be looking to close Canterbury's test centre in the near future because it falls within the 20-mile travelling distance criteria. This will mean even more tests, more lessons and more cars clogging up the roads."

Driving Standards Agency spokesman Chris Lee said it had no intention of closing the Canterbury centre:

"The multi-purpose driving test centre in Herne Bay will offer new and improved facilities to learner riders and drivers by offering a modern, purpose-built and energy efficient building which is fully Disability Discrimination Act compliant. It also has off-road parking and an enclosed hard surface area to conduct new test manoeuvres for riders. Motorcycle testing will change substantially when a new test is implemented from March 30. A European Community Directive introduced major changes in the way we test learner motorcyclists. These changes include new manoeuvres which must be undertaken at speeds of 31mph. For road safety reasons these manoeuvres can not be carried out on public roads. Public consultation recommended, and it was agreed in 2002, that the DSA would find a network of suitable sites to conduct the off-road elements at new multi-purpose test centres. There are no plans to close the Canterbury test centre."

DSA Chief Executive Rosemary Thew said:

"The new motorbike test will contribute to road safety and the multi-purpose test centre in Herne Bay fits into our overall vision of improving facilities for riders and drivers across Great Britain."

thisiskent 21st Jan 2009

Gale's View: Visitor Information Centre (part 2)

Those that have sought to present interim arrangements as Canterbury Council's solution to tourist information in Herne Bay are at best disingenuous and at worst downright dishonest. To photograph the leaflet stand in the Council offices and to try to present this as the replacement for the bandstand shop is idiotic as even the meanest of intelligences must be fully aware that the Council has proposed that the new facilities will be rolled out in time for the start of the tourist season at Easter and will be further enhanced thereafter.

Had the critics taken the trouble, as I have myself, to speak to the Leader of the Council, John Gilbey, or the portfolio holder, Mike Patterson, then they would know that staff training is well advanced, that work is under way to re-model the Council Offices, to enhance the signage and to issue contracts for proven technology to provide the promised touch-screen 24-hour information machines not only at the Council offices and at the bandstand but at an increasing number of locations around the Town.

They would also know that the mandatory tender period for interest in providing an attractive use for the now vacant bandstand has now closed and bids are being properly considered as legally they must. Others may feel that the transition might have been seamless but it is not possible to award a contract for an occupied building and like it or not the Council has to act within the provisions of regulation and the law.

With the merger of the Council's Economic Development and Tourism briefs there is every reason to believe that the Canterbury intends to devote more, not less, energy and resource into developing our coastal tourist offer. That will require increased investment and cannot be regarded as a "cost cutting exercise" even though the council's budget is, as a result of government policy, under very considerable pressure.

Tourism is still one of the UK’s largest industries and employers and, with the recession biting, it is likely that still more families and individuals will opt for domestic seaside holidays and short breaks in the coming year. It is vital that towns like Herne Bay are enabled to take advantage of this opportunity and I am confident that the new officer team working on this project have the skill and the ability to deliver a tourism offer that is designed to meet the requirements not of the last century but of the present one and the future. They need and deserve encouragement not carping criticism.

Roger Gale M.P. (January 21st 2009)

Iceland comes to Herne Bay!

Mums may go to Iceland, but the frozen food giant is coming to Herne Bay. A new store is taking over the old Woolworths site in Mortimer Street and could open by the end of March after the popular supermarket chain snapped up the building last week. It was one of 51 empty Woolworths stores added to Iceland's catalogue of more than 700 nationwide. The move has ended speculation bubbling around the town since the site was boarded-up at the end of last month.

The imminent arrival of Iceland, famously promoted by troubled celebrity Kerry Katona with the slogan 'That's why mums go to Iceland,' has been welcomed by other businesses in the town - including those who could be in direct competition with the national retailer. Brian Tutt has run his self-named butchers shop in the High Street for 35 years.

"It's nice to see the shop filled. I can't see business being affected because we sell different quality foods. We only sell fresh meat, whereas Iceland also sell groceries and are a cheaper version. I'd like to think we have a loyal clientele, but speak to me again in six months and I'll let you know how we're getting on."

Steve Lynch, owner of High Street grocers Fresh & Fruity, also welcomed its arrival.

"It's going to bring people to the town so it can't be a bad thing. I think Iceland is one of the better supermarkets so it'll be nice to see them in Herne Bay. I can't see it affecting our business because so many places do groceries anyway."

Town centre manager Chris West was pleased to see the empty store occupied so quickly.

"It's really good news. We were obviously concerned the building would remain empty for some time but we understand Iceland hope to open within two-and-a-half months. Hopefully the new store will generate footfall and won't really be in direct competition with any other shops in the town. I think it's a fantastic move and the ideal replacement for Woolworths. The store will bring more to Herne Bay, particularly at that end of Mortimer Street and there's room for everyone to benefit. Hopefully Iceland will attract those shoppers who might otherwise visit the bigger retail outlets."

Iceland marketing director Nick Canning confirmed news of the move this week.

"In response to widespread media speculation, I can confirm that following the successful acquisition of 51 Woolworth stores, Iceland will be creating in the region of 2,500 jobs across the country in the coming year. This is in addition to our existing new store opening programme. We are confident we can help support the local community in Herne Bay who have lost a major high street retailer in Woolworths. We aim to develop our business in 2009 by continuing to offer our customers fantastic value everyday, across our range of frozen, grocery and chilled products. We look forward to becoming part of the Herne Bay community and helping build a bright future for 2009."

thisiskent 12th Jan 2009