Learner drivers driving residents round the bend

Along with the Bungalows area across the Coast Road, Cochrane Park gets more than its fair share of learner drivers! The area is fairly near the test centre in Benton and as it's relatively quiet, it is frequently used by driving schools.

We understand residents' frustration about the problem and have previously written to the Department for Transport about it. They have advised that there are no powers to restrict learner drivers from using particular roads, but they can write to test centres asking nstructors to vary their routes to avoid overloading certain estates.

North Heaton Councillor Doreen Huddart has been investigating the legal situation and is working with councillors from other wards who have similar difficulties to establish whether the city council can draw up a citywide approach to the problem by identifying a more even distribution of test routes and practice areas.