Double yellow lines to help learners

Buy photos » Examiner Derek Kelly, Coun David Thain and examiner Mark Griffiths welcome the painting of double yellow lines outside the exit of Redditch Test Centre. Picture by Neville Collins. 52012030ncr.

MOTORISTS are to be banned from parking outside Redditch Test Centre as it is causing problems for learner drivers.

Double yellow lines are to be painted on the small stretch of road which passes the exit of the Elm Road based centre and leads down to the railway footbridge which connects to Gloucester Close.

It follows concerns raised by test centre officials about how learner drivers were being unfairly faced with an awkward manoeuvre just seconds into their driving test, particularly if a 4x4 or other large vehicle had been parked there.

Coun David Thain, who represents the area on Worcestershire County Council, said he was first contacted about the problem two months ago.

"It's a real problem because some people are getting to the gates and are then forced to make an abrupt turn and they could have failed their test before they have even gone five yards," he said.

"You are nervous enough when you take your test without having to negotiate around a huge vehicle.

"I've asked officers to make it a top priority and fast track this through."

It is hoped the double yellow lines will be in place by the end of January at the latest.

A spokesman for the Driving Standards Agency, which runs the centre, admitted it was an issue but stressed examiners would have issued advice and taken into allowance the situation, so no-one would have failed their test as a result of dangerous or inconsiderate parking.

"We welcome the decision to put double yellow lines in place. This will provide better access to the driving test centre and help improve safety for all road users," he said.

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