School playing field for under-17 drivers

Teenagers will be able to take driving lessons before their 17th birthday after a training company won permission to use the grounds of a Black Country school.

Dudley-based Safe4Life Driver Training is now allowed to use the all-weather pitch at Hillcrest School, Netherton, to teach under-17s basic skills and theory at weekends. Safe4Life director Ian Haycock, who is a former pupil of the school in Simms Lane, said the training was designed to build youngsters' confidence before they being allowed on the roads.

"By the time kids get to the age of 16, they are desperate to get behind the wheel,and this is a way for them to practise in a safe, controlled environment rather than experimenting with their parents or friends," he said.

"We're also using it as way to improve the confidence of people who are over 17 but are nervous about being out on the road with other drivers."

He said the students were taken out and travelled at low speeds along mocked-up roads complete with road signs.

Mr Haycock, aged 41, added: "It just seemed like the perfect location. We thought about using factory car parks and the like, but none of them were safe enough.

"We are offering Hillcrest pupils a discount rate, with another discount for Netherton residents.

"We also pay to use the site, and that money goes straight into the school."

He said he and business partner Gary Shaw were now in talks with the school to make weekly educational visits to students to teach them the basics of road safety.

Permission has been granted as long as the lessons are only held between 8am and 5pm on Saturdays, 9pm and 5pm on Sundays, and not on weekdays.

Safe4Life will only be allowed to have five cars in use at any one time.