Plans for new vehicle test site move up a gear

A DEDICATED facility for HGV and motorcycle driver testing in Shetland has moved a step closer after planning permission was granted for a site on the outskirts of Lerwick.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) wants to rent a section of land off Ladies Drive near the old Decca station to allow drivers to undertake testing and training.

The search for a suitable site has been an issue for some time after the DVSA was told it would have to vacate its current space at the old Anderson High School as the site gets set for redevelopment.

The DVSA came under fire for a lack of foresight, but things seem finally about to reach a resolution.

Its planning application to change the use of part of the site at Ladies Drive, which is owned by Tulloch Developments, as well as resurface it with tarmac, was recently granted.

A DVSA spokesperson said: “We are pleased that Shetland Islands Council has approved our planning application.

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“We will now continue to work with the land owner on the design and letting terms for use of the site by DVSA.

“Whilst we are in negotiations we will continue to test at Anderson High School.”

The site in question is a large granular surfaced laydown area which was constructed in 2013/14.