THE WARNING comes as driving test candidates arriving at the Bedford Driving test centre are now banned from using any of the toilet facilities in the building.
BADDIA chairman, Paul Burchell, described this move as “diabolical and quite possibly an infringement of basic human rights”
The test centre is based on the first floor of Portman House, in Goldington Road, Bedford. But the other occupiers of the three story building claim that the toilets are for their exclusive use and have put a lock on the door of the ground floor toilet, denying access to all but their own employees.
The toilet is a DDA (Disability Discrimination Act), compliant toilet, having a door wide enough for a wheelchair to fit through and hand rails. “But”, says the BADDIA Chairman, “ Just because it is a DDA compliant toilet, does not prohibit access from fully abled people as well. In any case, this isn’t the argument, HMRC, who are the other occupiers of the building claim that this toilet is for their exclusive use”.
Driving test candidates pay in excess of £56 to take a driving test. With approximately 28 car driving tests being carried out each day, this nets the DSA in income in the region of £1,568 per day. “I think, that for this amount, our clients, who are after all tax payers, deserve to be treated with some dignity and respect. I have asked the area MP Patrick Hall to look into this matter, and have also referred the issue to Liberty, the Human Rights organisation as I suspect that this could well be in breach of article 4 of the Human Rights Act 1998”.
Mr Patrick Hall MP (Labour, Bedford)
Source: Paul Burchell, BADDIA Chairman
Paul Burchell was interview by Chiltern Radio on the subject which was broadcast on this mornings news…..
Be warned that if you are about to take your driving test you will not be able to use the toilet, before you take your driving test.“There have been times when people arrive at the test centre, so nervous that they have been physically sick.” Well, Driving instructors in Bedford are furious because the test centre on Goldington Road, has closed its only toilet that is available to the public.Paul Burchell from the Bedford and District Driving Instructors Association says it’s not good enough… “If you deliberately deny access to a basic function such as a toilet where that facility actually exists then that has got to be a breach of very basic human rights.”
Fully support BADDIA and, as the toilet facility exists I see no reason why the IRS have closed it to all. On many occasions lately the nearest public facilities have been closed and the local petrol station loo’s out of action what do we expect our pupils to do?
Comment by George Ritchie — September 3, 2008 @ 3:12 pm
BADDIA has my full support on this, I don’t see any reason why the facilities are restricted. Test candidates, upon arrival at the Test Centre, often require the toilet - they are also normally nervous as their test looms and therefore the last thing they need is to become even more anxious due to trying to find a toilet. The nearest public toilets are not always working and using one in a petrol station is, from my point of view, a very very last resort as they are so disgusting. I know that the one at the Test Centre could do with some sprucing up, but it is better than most petrol stations. It is a building that the public use, therefore there should be facilities there for them.
Comment by Shereen Shaw — September 4, 2008 @ 4:03 pm
Well done Paul. I think you are doing a great job. I am sure other BADDIA members are behind you on this one! As I had been pre-warned, I was able to take my pupil to an alternative facility just a few minutes before her test on Wednesday. She did pass but I don’t know what the result would have been if she had been forced to take her test feeling uncomfortable. This is usually the last thing people need to do on the day. It is already a nerve racking experience for them as it is so I do hope HMRC see sense and re open the toilet.
Comment by Jo — September 7, 2008 @ 7:55 pm