20 mph Speed Limits in Southend

Southend 20MPH Zones Update….. As promised this is the email I have recently sent to several Southend Borough Councillors explaining why the 20mph zones around Southend are a bad idea & why SADDIA are opposed to them.

Good Morning Councillors, Re: 20 MPH zones in Southend I write with reference to the proposed changes in speed limits around various parts of Southend on Sea.It would probably be prudent to advise you that I not only write to you as a resident of Southend but also as the owner of A Pass 4 U which is by far the biggest driving school in the area and the Chairperson of Southend And District Driving Instructors Association (SADDIA). I write representing approximately 100 driving instructors.As driving instructors, we spend our working lives promoting road safety and teaching pupils not only the safest manner to drive in but the most Eco friendly so these changes fall into our field in every way. There are many factors to consider over and above the environmental impact of vehicles in Southend some of which you may not be aware of,A) Driver Testing and Southend Test Centre – The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have in the past closed Southend Test Centre causing residents of Southend to go for their driving test in Basildon which will have impacted on the environment due to having to spend more time travelling to Basildon which was our nearest test centre. Basildon test centre is 12 miles away which not only added to the environmental but also added significant cost due to travelling time etc. The reason this could be a problem is that the DVSA have to use many types of roads in a driving test by law which include using roads in a residential area and by reducing the speed limit it may mean that they cannot use those areas. If a whole town is impacted by the reduced speed limits it could mean that we yet again lose our driving test centre and add to the environmental and economic issues already impacting the residents of Southend. I would like to point out that some of the routes used for driver testing do go through Leigh and Thorpebay which could mean that the test routes will need to be rewritten by the DVSA at the tax payer’s expense. Speeding & Road Safety – If a driver is inclined to exceed the speed limit, lowering the limit will not stop the drivers speeding and Mr Woodley (as quoted by the Evening Echo March 8 2021) is incorrect if he believes the minority of drivers that cause these issues will reduce their speed in fact it could actually mean more people could be exceeding the speed limit. Funding a road safety/speed awareness/environmental impact campaign would be a better use of funds. Educating people of the impact of their actions e.g. how their driving impacts on KSI’s, their insurance as well as how it impacts on the environment which of course includes air pollution but also wear & tear on roads in my opinion would be a better use of funds. By showing people that “Eco” driving not only means “Environmental” but “Economical” and by educating people to drive in a Eco manner will save them money the campaign will have more impact. I am also aware that Road Safety team at Southend Council has been in effective due to underfunding for many years therefore by changing the use of the funds you will be impacting many factors, a win win scenario.C) Environmental Issues – Whist I agree that keeping our environment is our responsibility I believe that reducing the speed limits will not have any tangible impact. I would suggest that promoting the use of electric cars around the Southend area would be a better use of the funds as it would not only have a bigger impact (zero emissions on electric cars) but would also have financial benefits to the local economy if electric power points, free parking etc were close to shopping areas.The driving instructors of Southend strongly oppose the intended reduction of speed limits around the many areas of Southend and would ask that the funds be used in a manner that will meet the environmental targets and make headway to meeting other problems Southend is presently impacted by.If I can be of any use in this matter please do not hesitate to contact me on 01702 308763 or via my email apass4u@yahoo.co.uk.Yours sincerelyTony Mihill DVSA Adi & Fleet AdiDirectorA Pass 4 U Nationwide Ltd&ChairpersonSouthend And District Driving Instructors Association

Loveday Ryder appointed as DVSA’s new Chief Executive

Loveday Ryder will become the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s Chief Executive on 1 January 2021.Published 26 November 2020From:Department for Transport and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

Loveday Ryder has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and will be starting her new role on 1 January 2021.

DVSA’s purpose is to help everyone stay safe on Britain’s roads. The agency carries out driving tests, approves people to be driving instructors and MOT testers carries out tests to make sure lorries and buses are safe to drive, carries out roadside checks on drivers and vehicles, and monitors vehicle recalls.

Department for Transport Permanent Secretary Bernadette Kelly said:

I’m delighted to welcome Loveday Ryder to the department in her role as Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

DVSA’s work affects everyone in the country, and Loveday’s wide range of business change and performance improvement experience will be invaluable in helping DVSA overcome the operational challenges created by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

I would like to express my thanks to Gareth Llewellyn for his immense contribution as Chief Executive, and wish him every success for the future.

Loveday Ryder was appointed as BPDTS Ltd’s Chief Executive Officer on 22 January 2018. BPDTS provides specialist digital technology services to the Department for Work and Pensions.

Previously, Loveday spent 12 years in the Ministry of Justice, where she successfully served in several senior roles in organisation design, change management and programme delivery,

Before joining the Civil Service in 2006, Loveday worked within a specialist management consultancy.

Loveday Ryder said:

I’m thrilled and excited to be joining DVSA, whose people are so passionate about helping everyone stay safe on Britain’s roads.

I want to help build on the successes already achieved through DVSA’s 5-year strategy. DVSA will continue to change, improve and modernise services for customers, embrace smarter ways of working and make the most of new technology while making sure road safety remains at the heart of everything we do.

I’m looking forward to supporting DVSA colleagues in the vital work they do to help achieve the vision we all share – safer drivers, safer vehicles and safer journeys for all.

DVSA – All practical and theory tests suspended in England: update

We previously let you know that all practical driver, rider and theory tests would be suspended in England whilst the new national restrictions are in place.

Following clarification from the Government these restrictions will last up to and including Wednesday 2 December 2020.

This means all driver, rider and theory tests will restart on Thursday 3 December.

We have emailed everyone with a test booked between Thursday 5 November and Wednesday 2 December to let them know it will be rescheduled to a new time and date.

Driver and rider training should not restart until Thursday 3 December.

We will continue to keep the situation under review in line with Government advice.

NASP video for Parts 2, 3 and Standards Check

NASP

Latest Lockdown Q & As

Latest Lockdown FAQs

Sunak announces more support to the self-employed

Theory tests to be suspended in England

The Government has announced that England will be put under national restrictions from Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December

We will continue to keep the situation under review in line with Government advice.

What this means for theory tests

These measures mean all theory tests in England will be suspended from 5 November and restart on Wednesday 2 December.

We are emailing everyone with a test booked in England to let them know their test has been put on hold and they will need to reschedule it.

If you have booked a test for any of your pupils you will receive an email to confirm their test has been put on hold. You will need to contact your pupil to let them know.

You or your pupil will need to log into the service and rearrange their theory test for a new time and date.

Driver and rider practical training and tests

Driver and rider training and tests will be suspended in England from 5 November until 2 December 2020. We will be contacting affected test candidates soon.

We’ll keep you updated on the situation and provide further guidance when we’re able too.

Further information

Read the new national restrictions from 5 November.

Refunding practical tests affected by COVID-19

From today (Monday 2 November 2020) we will be contacting practical test candidates who have a test on hold due to COVID-19 to give them a refund.

We emailed these candidates to ask them to choose a new test and made them aware that we would be refunding them if they did not do this by 2 November 2020.

Organising refunds

Most tests on hold can be refunded automatically to the bank card used to book them. The refunds usually take 5 days to appear in the account from the date when the test is cancelled.

If you booked a practical test for a pupil using the Online Business Service, we will contact you to let you know which applications were refunded. It is your responsibility to pass this refund on to your pupil if they gave you money to pay for their test.

Update on lockdown measures in England

Following the announcement on Saturday 31 October 2020 around further lockdown measures being introduced in England, we are working closely with the Government to agree the impact these will have on DVSA services. 

All driver and rider training and tests will be suspended in England from 5 November until 2 December 2020. We will be contacting affected test candidates soon.

We’ll keep you updated on the situation and provide further guidance when we’re able too.

A 12 Closure

Although this should not affect driving lessons, just a warning:

The A12 will begin seven weekends of closures as from 6th November until Sunday December 20th between 8pm until 6am. This is to carry out “vital upgrades” to the road surface including pothole repairs and new road markings. The affected area is from Junction 19 (Springfield) to Junction 25 (Marks Tey). The first four weekends will be northbound closures and the final three weekends will be southbound.

Southend Test Centre Announcement

This was sent to us from the test centre today 15/10/20

Morning All, 
As you’re all probably aware, from next Monday, 19th October we will be reverting to our old test times carrying out six tests each per day. We are still following our Covid-safe procedures, so this may lead to tests running late. We will of course do our best to get to your pupils on time, but on occasions delays may be unavoidable.
At all times when waiting for a test, please remain with the vehicle and ensure it is well ventilated by opening doors and/or windows in readiness for the test to begin. With the recent lower temperatures we’ve had several cases recently of candidates and instructors waiting in the cars with all doors and windows closed until the examiner arrives. In such cases our procedures require us to ventilate the car for at least five minutes prior to starting the test, which adds further delays. 
Your co-operation is greatly appreciated. 
Kind regards, 
Mark

Mark Christmas | Driving Examiner

NASP urges action on continued closure of waiting rooms

NASP is today urging members to lodge a complaint with the Health and Safety Executive regarding the continued closure of test centre waiting rooms.

NASP member associations have raised the issue with DVSA on numerous occasions and asked for a clearer line of sight on when waiting rooms may reopen, as trainers are already starting to be left out in the cold as Autumn arrives. To date no further positive feedback on this issue has been received from DVSA, and no indication of when waiting rooms may open has been given.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) wrote to the agency in September highlighting that the failure to provide adequate sanitary facilities and waiting spaces to customers (and what HSE deems as ‘workers’ in this context, i.e trainers), is contrary to health and safety legislation and regulation.

DVSA have maintained to date that it is difficult to open waiting rooms across the board due to the challenges of ensuring social distancing (and need to limit exposure for all users to COVID-19), staffing challenges, and the issue at some test centres that waiting rooms are being pressed into service as extra office space to allow staff to socially distance.

NASP no longer finds these reasons acceptable and points to other public and private sector (including retail) service providers who are able to manage their services and accommodation to provide both employees with a socially distanced and safe working environments, and service users similarly with socially distanced and safe waiting rooms and reception areas.

Whilst NASP will continue to raise this issue with both DVSA and HSE, we also recommend that individual trainers, concerned about their welfare heading into the winter months, also make a complaint directly to HSE.

To make your complaint go to:

https://hsegov.microsoftcrmportals.com/workingsafelyenquiries/

Once there, click on first box and select, Safety of customers, Visitors and Contractors, the rest of the form is self-explanatory,

In the details of your enquiry, you should state the test centres you use and the fact you are left standing out in all weathers, this would also be a good place to mention the lack of toilet facilities if that is an issue at your centre.

______

ADINJC has also written back to HSE after our recent communications with them to ask what the situation is with regard to their talks with DVSA.  We will of course, as always, let you know as soon as there is any news.  We are very conscious that this is a cause of concern for many of our members.

Do let us have any photographs of ADIs waiting outside test centres!

The NJC continues to be dedicated to help you in these challenging times and we hope you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy.  Please feel free to contact us for help and support.

ADINJC’s helpline is 0800 8202 444
The Secretary’s number is 07855 453414

The ADINJC is a national association run by ADIs on a not-for-profit basis.  We work tirelessly to inform, represent and support our members, and to promote the interests of our profession.

The NHS test and trace service is part of a national strategy to identify COVID-19 infections and prevent its spread.

Although this specific guidance relates to England only, the 4 administrations are working closely together to have a consistent and joined up approach to testing and tracing.

We are supporting the service by sharing details of examiners and candidates with them as required.

If your candidate tests positive after attending a test

If your candidate tests positive for COVID-19 up to 48 hours after taking a test they must provide the NHS Test and Trace service with the DVSA email address test.and.trace@dvsa.gov.uk and follow the government guidelines on self-isolation.

This information is provided to candidates in their end of test summary.

If you test positive after a part 2, part 3 or standards check

If you test positive for COVID-19 up to 48 hours after taking you ADI part two or three test or standards check you must provide the NHS Test and Trace service with the DVSA email address test.and.trace@dvsa.gov.ukand follow the government guidelines on self isolation.

If the pupil you bring to take part in your part 3 test or standards check tests positive for COVID-19 up to 48 hours after, they must also provide NHS Test and Trace service with the DVSA email address test.and.trace@dvsa.gov.uk​ and follow the government guidelines on self-isolation.

This information is provided to you and your pupil after the test or check.

Tracing apps

As part of the government’s coordinated response to COVID-19, NHS Test and Trace has developed the new NHS COVID-19 app.

It is now available for download to all residents of England and Wales, and we strongly recommend that everyone over the age of 16 downloads and uses it.

The Scottish government COVID-19 app is also now available to download.

We continue to follow the latest guidance across England, Scotland and Wales and review how it affects our services and customers.

The NJC continues to be dedicated to help you in these challenging times and we hope you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy. 
Please feel free to contact us for help and support.

ADINJC’s helpline is 0800 8202 444

The Secretary’s number is 07855 453414

The ADINJC is a national association run by ADIs on a not-for-profit basis.  We work tirelessly to inform, represent and support our members, and to promote the interests of our profession.

Learner Taken to court for just going over a Stop line

Police ‘lacked judgement’ over learner driver red light fine

Published1 day ago

Police showed a “complete lack of judgement” over the prosecution of a learner driver who stopped past a red light at a junction, a barrister said.Joseph Bell, 18, was having a driving lesson when he stopped over the line at a junction on the Colwick Loop Road in Nottingham on 14 December last year.He admitted failing to comply with the red light, but Nottingham magistrates accepted special circumstances.Mr Bell was granted an absolute discharge. Police defended the case.

• Latest news and stories from the East Midlands

The court heard Mr Bell – who was 17 at the time of the lesson – had been slowly approaching the junction in the car, with his driving instructor present and also able to take control of the vehicle.It was caught by an automatic camera as having stopped into a red light area for 14.8 seconds, with no oncoming cars or pedestrians present.Bruce Stuart, defending Mr Bell, said the car would not have presented a danger to other road users if there had been traffic. He said if the car had been travelling at speed this would have been recorded on the camera and any sign of danger would have seen the driving instructor moved into action.”If there was a danger, he would have stopped the car,” he said.”This is something that learner drivers do – they make mistakes.”

Mr Bell’s driving instructor wrote a letter supporting his student, telling magistrates it was “a simple lapse of judgement” that can happen “on occasion” with student drivers.In granting an absolute discharge, Mr Bell will not have any points put on to his driving licence, or have to pay costs.Magistrate Richard Eaton said the incursion into the junction was “minimal” and would have been “nowhere near” traffic if the road had been busy.

‘Very unusual’

Following the hearing, Mr Bell – who is set to take his test in the coming weeks – said he was “relieved” at being discharged.”Those three points would have proved [to be] a lot of hassle,” he said.Gaynor Bell said she was “completely frustrated” with the police decision to back the prosecution against her son, especially as a driving instructor was in the car at the time.”As a parent you put your trust in them – that’s why you use driving schools,” she said.Mr Stuart said the case was “very unusual”, adding the discharge “shows what the court thinks” of the prosecution.”[It] shows you what overwhelmingly bad judgement the police showed in [backing] it,” he said.”It’s really a wake-up call for driving instructors, because he was very lucky that he wasn’t charged.”Insp Simon Allen, from Nottinghamshire Police, defended the force’s actions over the case, saying there is “no mitigation for learner drivers when committing a traffic offence” and it was the job of officers “to uphold the law”.”The safety of all road users is paramount, which is why the law holds learner drivers equally accountable and they must ensure that they follow the rules of the road,” he said.”In these cases, drivers have the choice to take a ticket or to go to court as happened here.”

Queensway Underpass Redevelopment

Planning has been submitted to the council and validated with regards to closing the Queensway underpass and making it one big roundabout. When we receive further updates we will of course advise you all. Here is what we know so far about the application:

Detailed (full) application for phased engineering works to remove roundabout at Queensway/Sutton Road/Southchurch Road, and associated underpass, with re-grading of the Queensway, to provide a new 4 lane carriageway at grade with footpath; cycle lane, bus facilities, public realm, landscaping and associated structures as well as a new roundabout at grade, linking Southchurch Road and Queensway, and closure/stopping up of Sutton Road | Queensway Development Queensway Slip Road Sw Southend-On-Sea Essex

S.E.I.S.S. Grant Extension Information

The UK Government have announced they will be extending the S.E.I.S.S. grant for a further six months. Below are the details they have released so far:

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) Grant Extension Factsheet

What is the scheme?
The Chancellor recognises the continued impact that COVID-19 has had on the self-employed and has taken action to provide support.
The SEISS Grant Extension provides critical support to the self-employed. The grant will be limited to self-employed individuals who are currently eligible for the SEISS and are actively continuing to trade but are facing reduced demand due to COVID-19

Who is eligible?
To be eligible for the scheme, self-employed individuals, including members of partnerships, must meet the following criteria:
• Currently be eligible for the SEISS (although they do not have to have claimed the previous grants)
• Declare that they are currently actively trading and intend to continue to trade
• Declare that they are impacted by reduced demand due to COVID-19 in the
qualifying period. The qualifying period for the first grant is between 1
November and the date of claim

What does the grant cover?
The extension will provide two grants and will last for six months, from November 2020 to April 2021. Grants will be paid in two lump sum instalments each covering a three month period.
The first grant will cover a three-month period from the start of November until the end of January. The Government will provide a taxable grant covering 20 per cent of average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering 3 months’ worth of profits, and capped at £1,875 in total.
The Government are providing broadly the same level of support for the self-employed as is being provided for employees through the Job Support scheme.
The second grant will cover a three-month period from the start of February until the end of April. The Government will review the level of the second grant and set this in due course.
The grants are subject to Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions.

How can I claim?
HMRC will provide full details about claiming and applications in guidance on gov.uk in due course

NASP comment on PCS Examiner member ballot

NASP comment on PCS Examiner member ballot

NASP is aware that a ballot of PCS (Public and Commercial Services Union – one of the main unions for Driving Examiners) members has recently taken place. PCS states that the results of this ballot clearly demonstrate the health and safety concerns of their members following their return to work at driving test centres across the country.

86% of those who voted in the PCS ballot believe that it is not safe to return to work. Nearly all, 96% believed that staff should not be forced to return. 90% also believe that candidates should be mandated to take a COVID test before attending a test centre for their assessment. 73% of members balloted are prepared to take action to support these demands.

Read the PCS update on this ballot here:

https://www.pcs.org.uk/department-for-transport/news/covid-19-update-%E2%80%93-de-ballot-result

It is worth noting that PCS represents only a proportion of DVSA Examiners, and not all members voted in this ballot, so the results do not necessarily echo the views of all Examiners, nor is this ballot a sign Examiners will take any action that could disrupt services.

We have contacted DVSA today to understand whether they have any concerns regarding this latest ballot, and whether they foresee any disruption to services – now and moving forward. DVSA have a continuing dialogue with their Examiners (and the unions) about issues relating to managing test delivery in the context of COVID-19. Both unions and Examiners have been closely consulted on any measures put in place to safeguard Examiners, trainers and pupils in the testing process, and any decisions to develop the level of testing offered. At this time is no impact to testing services. We will keep you updated on this issue.

ADINJC News Today

Chancellor Rishi Sunak launches a scheme to replace furlough:

More details at:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54285950

https://www.itv.com/news/2020-09-24/coronavirus-rishi-sunak-announces-government-will-pay-up-to-two-thirds-of-wages-for-people-on-reduced-hours

Rishi Sunak has said it is “impossible” to predict how many jobs the government’s new wage subsidy scheme will save.
The scheme, set to replace furlough, will see the government top up the pay of people unable to work full time.
It aims to stop mass job cuts after the government introduced new measures to tackle a rise in coronavirus cases.
Mr Sunak said he hoped the plan would “benefit large numbers”, but he could not say what job is “viable or not”.
Under the Job Support Scheme, if bosses bring back workers part time, the government will help top up their wages with employers to at least three quarters of their full time pay.
It will begin on 1 November and last for six months.

Mr Sunak said a similar scheme for the self-employed would be available.

Longer period to pay back Bounce Back Loans
The Government has also announced a new ‘Pay As You Grow’ scheme will give those who’ve borrowed Bounce Back Loans more flexibility in how they repay, while the time you have to apply for a new Bounce Back Loans has also been extended.

VAT deferral

Business can delay VAT payments under the ‘New Payment Scheme’. Rather than paying in full by March 2021, they will now be able to spread payments throughout the 2021-22 financial year.

With the industry very busy at present, many instructors will not be eligible for the extra SEISS grant unless they or their pupils have been affected by Covid19 and the instructors business has been adversely affected. If this is the case then records must be kept as to how the business was adversly affected in case HMRC do investigate the claim for its validity at a later date.

The NJC continues to be dedicated to help you in these challenging times and we hope you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy. 
Please feel free to contact us for help and support.

ADINJC’s helpline is 0800 8202 444

The Secretary’s number is 07855 453414

The ADINJC is a national association run by ADIs on a not-for-profit basis.  We work tirelessly to inform, represent and support our members, and to promote the interests of our profession.

Pothole Repairs

Up to £250,000 could be spent on repairing potholes in and around the Southend area the council have agreed. That is equivalent to approx 4,700 potholes accross the borough although some of the money will be used to repair and re paint some roads.

Councillor Andrew Moring, was quoted as saying: “The quality of our highways is something that rightly comes under scrutiny by our residents and it is important that we do all we can to continue to bring our roads and pavements up to the standard expected.

“I am pleased this extra money is available due to the diligent budgeting of our officers and I am even more pleased that we are able to use it to further improve the highways in our borough.”

The £250,000 is on top of the already announced £800,000 in the 2019/20 budget that will fund repairs and resurfacing.

Theory test changes: 28th September 2020

The theory test in England, Scotland and Wales will change from 28th September 2020. The change has been designed to make the test more accessible, especially to people with:

• reading difficulty (like dyslexia)
• learning disability
• developmental condition (like autism)

The change only applies to car theory tests to begin with. It was supposed to happen on 14th April 2020 but was postponed due to Coronavirus.

So what is different?

Currently, you have to read a case study and then answer 5 questions about it. This tests your knowledge and understanding of the rules of the road. As from 28th September 2020, this will change and you will instead watch one video clip and answer three questions about it which will replace the case study.

How it will work

You will watch a short, silent, video clip and answer 3 multiple-choice questions about it. You can watch the clip as often as you like during the multiple choice part of the theory test, which means you can watch the video, answer a question then replay the video again before answering the next question.

What will the video clip look like?

The video clip will show a situation, such as driving through a town centre, or driving on a country road. The type of questions you could be asked would be something like:

1. Why are motorcyclists considered vulnerable road users?
2. Why should the driver, on the side road, look out for motorcyclists at junctions?
3. In this clip, who can cross the chevrons to overtake other vehicles, when it’s safe to do so?

For each of the 3 questions, you’ll have to choose the correct answer from 4 possible answers.

What will the screen will look like?

The left-hand side of the screen will show the video clip, with controls to:

• play the video
• pause the video
• move to a specific part of the video on a progress bar
• watch the video using the full screen

The right-hand side of the screen will show the question and 4 possible answers.

All car theory tests will use video clips from 28 September 2020. This includes if:

• you fail a test before then and retake it from 28th September 2020
• your test is cancelled or moved for any reason, and your new test date is from 28th September 2020

This is the only change to the theory test at the moment which means you will still need to revise using books and software to prepare yourself.

You will still:

• answer 50 multiple-choice questions within 57 minutes
• get 43 out of the 50 questions right to pass the multiple-choice part of the test

The hazard perception part of the test remains unchanged

Tests that are not changing

The change does not yet apply to the Approved driving instructor test (ADI pt 1)

A127 Closure 18th-21st Sept 2020

Please be aware that as from 8pm on September 18th until 6.30am on September 21st 2020, there will be a series of road closures and suspensions along the A127 between the Tesco roundabout and Cuckoo Corner. This is to facilitate the removal of the footbridge at the Toby Carvery junction. Diversions will be in place.

Also a full weekend closure is planned from Progress Road to Kent Elms Corner, this is for continuation of structural repairs and resurfacing of a 540m section in the east bound carriageway from 20.00 Friday 19th September until 06.30 Monday 21st September

Learning to Drive

The Process of Learning To Drive

The process of getting a driving licence is fairly simple but you do need to avoid some pit falls. In short the process is:

1. Get your provisional driving licence
2. Taking your theory test
3. Learning the art of driving
4. Taking the practical test

(more…)