MACNEIL WRITES TO DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT

Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP, Angus B MacNeil has written to Mike Penning MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department for Transport regarding the situation surrounding motorcycle testing and the need for a testing centre in Stornoway.  Currently people who wish to take the motorcycle test have to travel to mainland Scotland at considerable expense.

Mr MacNeil said:

“I have been in correspondence with the Driving Standards Agency and Mike Penning MP, regarding the motorcycle testing situation in our islands.  My constituents have to travel to the mainland to take the motorcycle test; this is expensive in terms of travel and accommodation and often means a loss of earnings, if people have to take time off work.  I have asked the Department for Transport to set up a testing centre in Stornoway to reduce the burden.

“The UK Government proposes to change the motorcycle testing procedures and I understand that changes may be made to the Module 1 element of the test and this is causing uncertainty.  I have written to Mike Penning MP to ask him to clarify when the changes are to be implemented and if he will consider Stornoway as a testing centre.

“All we are looking for is fairness, people should be able to take the bike test on the island rather than travel ludicrous distances at great expense.

ENDS.