RDAC breaks ground on new assessment headquarters in West Midlands to benefit disabled drivers
With driving assessment centres located centrally within the UK, independent charity RDAC has started construction of its new assessment headquarters located in Solihull, helping disabled drivers across the West Midlands.
Councillor Stuart Davis and Mrs Sarah Walker, the Mayor and Mayoress of Solihull, ceremonially begun construction of the new RDAC assessment centre in Hampton in Arden, Solihull, moving the charity’s headquarters out of Birmingham.
The new flagship Solihull premises is due to be completed in early 2020, with a team of qualified ADIs (Approved Driving Instructors), Occupational Therapists and Administrative Staff operating the centre to serve people throughout the Midlands.
The team at RDAC will focus on maximising road safety through clinical recommendations regarding appropriate adapted vehicles and specialist driving controls.
Councillor Stuart Davis, Mayor of Solihull, commented: “I am honoured to perform this ceremony today and are delighted that RDAC has chosen Solihull as their new home. The location is ideal in terms of accessibility and we look forward to seeing how this new centre helps disabled individuals from across the local area gain more independence.”
Representatives from various organisations responsible for the design, construction and delivery of Driving Mobility’s latest centre were in attendance, alongside many sector stakeholders and associates.
Speaking at the construction launch, Colin Barnett, Chief Executive of RDAC, said: “This milestone has taken several years to achieve however we can all look forward to helping more individuals gain driving freedom with additional capacity and extra services.
“Our relocation from central Birmingham has been the result of HS2 however our new premises will be situated in a more relaxed and calming rural atmosphere. We believe this will add value to the client experience resulting in greater confidence and clarity during the assessment process. Overall this scenic location will be better for everyone.”
RDAC is accredited by the nationwide assisted driving and independence charity Driving Mobility, an organisation that oversees twenty independent organisations like RDAC. The charities offer professional support and driving assessments to people who need to gain or retain, the ability to drive following a diagnosis involving impairment or disability.
Edward Trewhella, CEO of Driving Mobility, commented: “The latest RDAC centre will be absolutely fantastic, especially as it is purpose-built for our services. An undercover, all-weather area for vehicle assessments, an adjoining closed road for test drives, calming ambience and excellent transport links – it couldn’t be better.
“The facilities will be such an improvement on RDAC’s previous headquarters and will provide the perfect base to develop more outreach centres across the Midlands.”
Attendees on the day included:
- Sue Rogers MBE, Manager for the Mobility Centres of England, Accessibility Policy Team, Active Accessible Travel, Department for Transport
- Edward Trewhella, CEO, Driving Mobility
- Colin Barnett, CEO, RDAC, and RDAC colleagues
- John Bridgewater, Commercial Manager, Mossvale, and colleagues
- Neil Chadwick, Client Relations Manager Charities, CAF Bank
- Mark Emeny, Director, Emeny Turley Partnership Limited
- Nicholas Barlow, Managing Director, Packington Estate Enterprises Limited, and colleagues
