In our vibrant, growing community in Burgess Hill, I welcome the provision of local services which bring advantages and conveniences that make our lives better.

One example is the opening of the new driving test centre later this year in Charles Avenue, Burgess Hill. Carbon emissions will be reduced by people from Burgess Hill not having to make the journey to Crawley or Brighton to take their tests.

What gravely concerns me is the Driving Standards Agency's (DSA) proposals to close both the Brighton Marina and Hove driving test centres, forcing city residents to come to Burgess Hill to take their car and motorbike tests.

At present I understand there are eight test inspectors of car drivers and another four of motorbike riders working at the Hove site.

Multiply this by the inspectors seeing seven candidates a day and the impact on our roads will be apparent. It must also be taken into account that driving schools will bring their learners to Burgess Hill to practice on the unfamiliar roads.

All this will add to carbon emissions.

Burgess Hill and nearby villages will be subjected to this influx during test times, which will make driving on our roads unbearable.

Many of our schools already have difficult road crossings for children and with the extra traffic and inexperienced drivers accidents may happen.

The DSA's public consultation about the plans for the Brighton and Hove centres is open until May 16 and I strongly urge residents to oppose these closures.

  • Mandy Thomas-Atkin, Conservative councillor for Victoria, Mid Sussex District Council