Motorbike instructors are calling for the removal of troublesome moss which has put the brakes on tests at a city driving centre.
Malcolm MacRae of CMS Training School said tests have been ruled out since November 9 at the driving centre in Cove and he is losing about six tests a week.
He claims he has been waiting three weeks for bosses down south to do something to resolve the issue.
Mr MacRae said: “The test centre was built in 2009 and, since then, we’ve had constant running problems with the surface for the MMA – the motorcycle manoeuvring area.
He explained that the MMA measures about 140m x 40m wide and is used for emergency stops and avoidance exercises. Drivers must pass the skills test before they can graduate to the road.
He added that motorcylists could reach 40 mph on the stretch before bringing their bikes to a halt.
Five motorbike schools use the test centre and Mr MacRae said customers wanting to sit their test have had to travel elsewhere to Dundee or Inverness because of the issue.
He added: “We can’t understand why they [the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency] don’t just chemically clean the surface. It’s just crazy, moss isn’t a massive problem, but they should have a programme in place to keep on top of these things.”
A machine arrived to clean the site, but the day after, it was still deemed not fit for testing.
Mr MacRae said: “We’re totally reliant on the DVSA to keep ourbusiness open and provide us with tests and the local management are doing their best to help us out.”
He called for the government agency to get it sorted by spraying the surface four times a year.
Mr Macrae was informed two years ago by the Department for Transport that the then DSA had measures in place, including chemical treatment and a machine to clean the site.