MOTORCYCLE dealers said it was ludicrous that compulsory basic motorcycle training has been put back for yet another week.

MOTORCYCLE dealers said it was ludicrous that compulsory basic motorcycle training has been put back for yet another week.

They fear that the continuing delays will encourage more learners to break the law and go on the roads without it.

The Guernsey Motorcycle Training Scheme had to stop doing the training at Les Beaucamps High more than a month ago and were meant to start again at La Mare de Carteret Primary over the weekend.

However, the Environment Department, to whom GMTS is contracted to conduct the training, delayed that as the instructors had to survey the La Mare site.

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MOTORCYCLE dealers said it was ludicrous that compulsory basic motorcycle training has been put back for yet another week.

They fear that the continuing delays will encourage more learners to break the law and go on the roads without it.

The Guernsey Motorcycle Training Scheme had to stop doing the training at Les Beaucamps High more than a month ago and were meant to start again at La Mare de Carteret Primary over the weekend.

However, the Environment Department, to whom GMTS is contracted to conduct the training, delayed that as the instructors had to survey the La Mare site.

The news angered dealers who said they have lost trade because of it.

Trevor Hockey, co-owner of Trev’s Motorcycles, said the whole situation had been a disgrace. ‘I think someone needs to be banging their heads together,’ he said.

‘The Environment and Education departments can’t seem to organise anything – there has been a complete lack of communication.’

Education had given Environment and the GMTS until 20 February to find an alternative location.

Various sites, such as North Beach and St Sampson’s High School, were looked into but none was suitable. La Mare was chosen to host the training until a permanent site was found.

‘It is affecting our trade quite badly and it needs to be sorted out,’ said Mr Hockey.

‘Some people are saying why bother with the training because what’s the point of having a law for compulsory training when you can’t implement it? That isn’t my view, but people are saying it.’

Duques Garage owner Ian Lavenne said the situation was ‘ludicrous’.

‘They need to get their act together and sort it out.

‘We do want people to have training before they go onto the road so it is very important.

‘There are 500 people [already] on the road who have had no CBT and that came from the police.’

GMTS instructor Martin Proudlove-Gains said they were hopeful the training would take place this weekend.

‘We are really looking forward to getting the students trained, qualified and out on the road. It’s been six weeks without it now.’

Broadcaster John Randall’s 14-year-old daughter, Victoria, was due to undergo her training on Saturday, but had a phone call on Wednesday to say it was not going ahead.

‘She was a bit tearful because she had built herself up to get on with it,’ said Mr Randall.

‘She’s had her bike three weeks now and obviously just wants to get on with the test. I feel for the kids and for the instructors. It’s Education that aren’t pulling their finger out.’

Pete Bowring’s son, Thomas, 14, has also been waiting to book his CBT. His brother Samuel, 15, took part in the last CBT session to be held.

‘I’m still trying to get a bike sorted for Samuel so it hasn’t been that bad for him – but he is keen to get going,’ said Mr Bowring.

‘You would have thought they would have sorted it out by now.’