Testing times

FOR some Teries taking their driving test will be one of the most stressful events they ever experience. And it's about to get a whole lot worse for Hawick's learner drivers with the news that the North Bridge Street test centre is earmarked for closure at the end of March.

As if getting your licence wasn't nerve-racking enough, anyone aiming to do so will soon have to pass their test in Galashiels, currently ravaged by roadworks, or face the body-jarring experience that is the cobbled streets of Kelso. And you'll have to pay extra for the privilege with Hawick-based instructors forced to charge their pupils more for taking them back and forwards to Gala or Kelso!

However, the financial burden about to be imposed on local learner drivers has been compounded significantly by the very real threat to the jobs of Hawick-based instructors, many of whom are fearful that potential drivers will simply take all their lessons in Galashiels or Kelso. They're right to be concerned, their livelihoods are at risk. But to at least try and alleviate this risk, why didn't the Driving Standards Agency manage to find alternative premises in the town? Or, as seems more likely, did it give the DSA the perfect 'out' with the rental agreement on the current premises in North Bridge Street coming to an end?

The bottom line is that once again Hawick has been hit by the loss of services, and I can only hope that the move doesn't lead to job cuts.