By Chris Story

Last updated 10:34, Saturday, 10 May 2008

MORE than 500 bikers will roll into Carlisle tomorrow in protest against plans to centralise Cumbrian test centres.

They are furious at plans to shut motorcyclists’ test centres in Workington and Barrow – leaving just a new centre in Carlisle.

Objectors fear road users will be put at risk if inexperienced learner bikers are forced to make lengthy trips – almost 80 miles for some – along some of the county’s most treacherous roads. They hope their massive protest will demonstrate to the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) the strength of opposition against the move, due to take effect from October.

Millom Bike Group (MBG) has organised the ride-out – starting from Barrow’s current test centre site – and expects bikers from as far as Suffolk to join them.

The DSA’s plans for Cumbria are part of a national scheme to cut the number of test centres and replace them with multi-purpose test centres. In Cumbria, that would be based on a site at the Port Road Business Park in Carlisle.

MBG treasurer Edmund Chambers said: “This is an ill thought-out plan. They are planning this and say it will reduce accidents with learners – but then say they will have to trek two-and-a-half hours to take a test, then ride two-and-a-half hours back. It is utter nonsense.”

Bikers fear the move could actually cause more accidents if newly-qualified riders go out on the motorway straight after passing their tests – or despondent failures have to negotiate narrow roads home.

Opposition to the plans to revamp the test centres has emerged nationwide and Mr Edmund hopes the Cumbrian protest will help convince the DSA to perform a u-turn.

The campaign has been gathering political support and has won influential backing in the south of the county from Barrow MP and Business Secretary John Hutton, who has highlighted land at Walney Island, near Barrow, as a potential test centre location for the area.

Motorcyclists will leave Barrow tomorrow at about 10.30am and will travel through west Cumbria before taking the A595 into Carlisle.

Bikers in west Cumbria are also concerned about the proposals.

CStory@cngroup.co.uk