Location Overview – Ely is a stunning and interesting cathedral city in East Cambridgeshire, about 14 miles north-northeast of Cambridge and 80 miles from London. Ely is built on a Kimmeridge Clay island which, 85 feet above sea level, is the highest area in the Fens. Ely is named after the Eels found in the surrounding waters. The region’s economy is mainly agricultural, and Ely was also the centre of pottery production for more than 700 years. Ely Cathedral is among the most beautiful buildings in the country and dates back to the 12th century, and sits proudly on the flat landscape, and it deserves its name, The Ship of the Fens. It is surrounded by beautiful parkland and meadows that are ideal for walks and picnics. The buildings in the cathedral are iconic; hence it’s a significant tourist attraction, especially as the Octagon within Ely Cathedral is the only Gothic Dome in the world. There is a superb network of roads in and around Ely, which are very suitable for Advanced Driver training.

Our advanced courses cover a range of elements bespoke to the driver’s needs. Below are the common things we look at:

* Looking at driving history to make a bespoke training plan
* Modifying attitude towards a safer, more proactive way to drive
* Learning the System of Car Control
* Driving safety on the motorway and dual carriageways
* Manoeuvres, reversing, and driving in confined spaces
* Learn how to drive in a more environmentally friendly way
* How to boost driving confidence
* Identifying high-risk driving – such as at night, driving tired or when stressed
* Increasing focus on speed and excessive speed
* Looking ahead and developing powers of observation
* How to avoid road rage situations
* Becoming a safer urban driver – identifying and dealing with pedestrians and cyclists

You will be issued a driving report after each session – sent by email. This report is fully documented with us and has a unique verification number attached – proof you’ve had training with a qualified professional. In your report, you will see how you improved and in what areas, along with some valuable tips to ensure you keep up your improved standard of driving.

There are many benefits when taking advanced driver training from Drivers Domain UK:

* Bespoke training based on each driver’s specific needs
* Personal account manager
* National coverage
* We come to you for the training
* full and half-day options
* Detailed reports for each driver – with notes from the tutor providing the training
* Handpicked fleet/advanced tutors, registered with the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency
* A training is on-road

The Roman road, known as Akeman Street, passes through the west of the city. It finishes at the southern end at Ermine Street, Wimpole, and its northern end is at Brancaster. Although there is little evidence of a Roman settlement in Ely, it has been proved that settlements were nearby Little Thetford and Stretham. Ely is circled to the west by the A10, linking to the A12 at the southeast. We have carried out many Advanced Driver training courses throughout Ely and the surrounding towns and villages such as Little Downham, Littleport, Sutton and Soham. Our handpicked Advanced Driver tutors will arrive at your home or office address and take you out for bespoke training using your own vehicle.

Our courses do vary in structure, although our courses are priced on duration:

3.5-hour session
7-hour session – which can be split between two drivers if needed
2 x 3.5-hour sessions
3 x 3.5-hour sessions

Courses with longer durations:

Our fully tailored 3, 4, and 5 x 3.5-hour sessions are suited mainly for those having specific issues, driving anxiety, driving issues on particular roads, or for those who have not driven for a very long time. These longer courses are booked mainly by private individuals, although they are also open to our business clients.

These longer-duration courses are great for those facing particular (often very specific) issues, as it can take time to build up your skill and confidence. The time between each session will also be valuable as it allows you to reflect, absorb and practise what has been covered.

Talk with us:

While we cover as many things as possible on this page, we understand you may still have questions. Please call or email us if you wish to discuss anything. A member of our team will be pleased to help you. We can help both private individuals and business clients.

If you’re looking at a quote for a large number of drivers, we will be able to provide such, along with how we can best approach the training based on your business needs. Training large numbers requires a little extra planning. Still, we have many years of experience managing extensive, often complex driver training sessions involving multiple start locations and hectic diaries.

Road Safety Risks and Information – Ely

The City of Ely is set in East Cambridgeshire and is primarily served by the A10, which links to the A142 to the south of the city, and compared to other cities of a similar size, Ely is excellent regarding accident statistics with far fewer collisions than others. However, there are still some hot spots in the area that drivers should be aware of.

The roundabout of the meeting of the 11, the B1411 from the A10, is noted with accident statistics on the roundabout probably due to poor lane exiting and on the slip road; a few severe and sadly even fatal accidents have been seen. It is always vital to be extra cautious when using busy urban roundabouts and to make sure that you are in the correct position for your exit, as often a last-minute panic can cause chaos as drivers around you may not be able to notice your movements in time to stop and allow them to move out of the way. This is a common occurrence on most of the large roundabouts on urban motorways and dual carriageways across the UK and can easily be avoided with better forward planning and observations. The Witchford Road and the Cambridge Road Roundabouts along the A10 joining the A142 are very similar in statistics.

 The Cambridge Road runs into the centre of Ely merging into St Marys Street and although accidents statistics are low they still occur near junctions and traffic lights such as the meeting of High Street and the Minster Place, Cambridge Street and West End intersection. Another area of concern is the meeting of Broad Street and Back Hill, where numerous serious accidents have occurred in the last few years. Driving in busy inner-city locations can be frustrating and slow, especially during rush hours, but it is vital to be extra aware when using such roads, and more so when the route is shared with public transport and bus stops. The collisions occurring on Broad Street are near bus stops and road crossings, showing that care was not paid to the entire surroundings at the time. It only takes a few extra seconds to double-check your movements before overtaking a bus, for example, to ensure that no passengers are trying to cross the road or that the bus is not pulling out. Those few seconds can be lifesaving.

The centre of Ely is mainly pedestrianised, but the narrow streets surrounding the centre can be fraught with collisions, and although they may not always be severe due to slower speeds, they can be very upsetting and costly with insurance claims and can lead to more congestion and road closures – adding to the frustration. The High Street and Fore Hill are examples of such.

If you have any specific roads you travel on in the Ely area and are keen to discover what parts are at higher risk of collisions, please contact us. We offer a free-of-charge service to anyone who is interested.