The future of driving tests in Reading has been discussed as month-long waits for tests have been decried.
For years, practical tests have been conducted at the test centre in Elgar Road South, Katesgrove, managed by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
However, the site was closed on March 22 ahead of the demolition to be replaced with flats.
Practical tests were then moved to a temporary site at the Holiday Inn Reading-South.
Last week, it was announced that the new driving test centre at Pacific House in Imperial Way, Whitley today (Thursday, June 26).
Complaints about long waiting times and companies booking tests to sell at a higher rate were voiced at a full meeting of Reading Borough Council.
The Reading Liberal Democrats introduced a motion calling for government action to bring down waits.
Councillor James Moore (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst) said: “Many residents have contacted us as local Lib Dem councillors about the lack of available driving tests in Reading.
“It’s a huge issue for learner drivers, with wait times for tests far exceeding the DVSA targets.
“Another problem is the clear opportunistic behaviour of companies block buying tests, and reselling them at a higher rate, which has only further exacerbated the test backlog, and significantly and unnecessarily increased costs in an area of cost-of-living challenges.”
John Ennis (Labour, Southcote), lead councillor for transport, said:”Young people have been negatively impacted by years of neglect from the previous Tory government.
“They need licences to develop, for aspiration, to get better jobs and to get into jobs.
“Driving licences are key to development and aspiration. I have to say, if it was put last year, we’d have had wholehearted support.”
While he agreed with the sentiment of the Lib Dem motion, he introduced an amendment to it, acknowledging the work the three Labour MPs have done in less than a year to raise the issue with the previous Conservative and current Labour government.
He also noted that the new driving test centre is opening today (Thursday, June 26).
The amendment mentions that Yuan Yang, the Labour MP for Earley and Woodley, raised the issue in Parliament in October last year and investigated challenges in the recruitment and retention of test instructors.
Cllr Ennis also called the closure of the test centre in Katesgrove “a disgrace”.
Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading Central, was credited in the amendment for raising the issue in Spring 2023.
At the time, Mr Rodda questioned why availability was so poor that people had to go to Cheshire to do their tests.
Cllr Ennis said: “It’s on the record that Matt has worked for a number of years to try and secure decent facilities for learners.”
Meanwhile, Olivia Bailey, the Labour MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire, was credited alongside fellow Labour MPs for securing a Westminster Hall debate into test waiting times in October last year.
The motion was adopted with the Labour amendment at the full council meeting on Tuesday, June 24.
