Councillor Graham Leadbitter told fellow councillors this week that the DSA has refused to increase the limit, even though there is a huge demand from local learner bikers.

As a result, he said, the DSA claim there are not enough people using the centre to warrant it being extended to accommodate new aspects of the basic competency test.

The agency plans to close the Elgin test centre later this year and force all learner motorcyclists to take the tests at larger centres in Aberdeen and Inverness.

That has been met with a wave of opposition, with campaigners against the move staging two mass protest rallies on Moray's roads in recent months.

Councillor Anne McKay (Buckie) tabled a notice of motion calling on the council to support the Moray Motor Cycle Test Centre Action Group's anti-closure campaign.

She told Wednesday's meeting that she spoke both as a councillor and the mother of three sons who have all had bikes of various engine sizes.

"I would not have been happy at all if they had to travel to Aberdeen or Inverness, a round trip of 120 miles. My concern is that riders will no longer put themselves forward.

"If they want to remove the motorbike testing centre, what will be next? The car testing centre,?" said Councillor McKay.

The DSA insists that the Elgin centre, which is earmarked for closure in September, is not suitable for changes being made to the test requirements under European legislation. That will require learners to perform manoeuvres at high and low speeds on a larger surface area than is available at Elgin.

But protesters say that forcing inexperienced drivers on 125cc motorbikes to ride on the busy and dangerous A96 could have fatal consequences.

Councillor Leadbitter (Elgin City South) said he had recently completed his compulsory bike-training after being spurred on by the recent demonstrations.

"What was particularly notable was the level and quality of instruction that I received. At the Elgin centre, 83% of the people who take their test pass, and that is testament to the instruction. It is significantly higher than other parts of the UK, never mind just in Scotland.

"Elgin has the lowest number of tests for these centres, but the reason that Elgin has the lowest is not because of a lack of demand, it's because of the lack of tests that can take place at the centre.

"The DSA bosses insist that there are not enough tests, but if they are not providing the slots, that's a ridiculous argument.

l.carter@northern-scot.co.uk

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