Learner drivers speak out against closure of Forest Hills driving test centre, Southampton

The DVSA is set to close Forest Hills Driving Test Centre in Forest Hills Drive on April 10.

Students will have to a test at the Southampton Maybush test centre, five miles away from Forest Hills.

READ MORE: Infuriated driving instructors slam decision to close Southampton's main test centre

Learner driver Jack Hayes has his test booked for next month at Forest Hills, but said the decision to close the site has added pressure.

Learner driver Jack Hayes

The 18-year-old Itchen College student said: "I love driving, I want the freedom, and it helps out amongst my family. Driving means I am not relying on other people and I can focus more on my college work and education

"I have been quite lucky as I have got my test at Forest Hills before the closure, but I will have to go to an unfamiliar area if I don’t pass first time.

"And, I feel bad for those who definitely have to go elsewhere for their test.

"I am quite worried about passing first time now as I could do my second test in an area I am unfamiliar with. The Maybush test centre is out the way too, so drivers will be losing half an hour of time just to get there."

Student Austin Hunt, 17, from Bitterne Park, said it's a "weird decision to make".

Learner driver Austin Hunt

He said: "I think it’s a weird decision to make. I have got my theory next week and I want to book my driving test after that.

"All my friends who have taken tests say the waiting times are getting longer and longer.

"When I have my driving lessons, I drive around the area and have regularly driven past the Forest Hills test centre.

"We do all our lessons round there."

Maybush residents have expressed their concerns too, with many worried about an increase in traffic.

Maybush Test Centre, Southampton

Cowley Close resident Adele Chalk, 37, said: "My primary concern is more traffic as it's already quite difficult to get through and if the learner drivers are all parked on the side of the road, it takes longer to get through.

"It will affect me if there is more traffic and if the learner drivers are parking on Cowley Close. They all park in the Close at the moment and that will increase.

"It's not fair to those people who live in Sholing, Bitterne, Weston and those areas."

She added: "Learner drivers have got that worry on top of their driving test as well."

Carol, 74, and John Paul, 78, of Lancaster Road said: "We have tried to go down that way (Green Lane) and you see learners trying to take their test and other people can't get out.

"Motorists on the roads might find it a bit annoying. The main thing is that it will create more traffic and it's going to get a little bit ugly."