A DRIVING instructor believes people in Whitchurch and beyond on low incomes will be priced out of learning to drive if the town's test centre closes, as expected.

Alistair Stevens teaches learners across north Shropshire and believes many local people will struggle to be able to afford lessons because they will have to travel further.

If the centre closes, lessons will have to become longer as learners will be required to travel to the test centres in Shrewsbury and Crewe.

Alistair added that as many were already on low incomes, they face financial struggles.

Alistair said: "It is difficult at this time to require an instructor.

"This action on closing the test centre will result in less pupils being taught

"Closing the test centre would mean additional travel to centres such as Shrewsbury and Crewe.

"This would increase the lesson period to two hours as opposed to one with little gained in the respect of experience when travelling there.

"The repercussions of this besides the extra costs would be isolating those on low incomes and affordability in times where prioritising finances is so important."

Alistair added pupils would be caught up in the backlog and taking their tests on unfamiliar roads which would put them at a disadvantage.

"It will increase the waiting times for a test and the students to take their test earlier thus increasing the failure rates," he said.

"It will also increase pressure on instructors, making them less productive in their teaching."

Alistair has joined his colleagues in attending two meetings concerning the closure and has forwarded emails to North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan and Loveday Ryder, head of the Driver Vehicle and Standards Agency (DVSA).

He says he is pleased with the way Ms Morgan has responded but at the same time he is extremely disappointed with the response from the DVSA.

Alistair added: "This affects us all either directly or indirectly on a local basis.

"The ripples from this are far greater than you may think.

"Do we just sit back and let the clouds pass us by or do we do something as a community and stop the bullying.

"If not for ourselves do it for those we leave behind.

"We need answers.

"If those answers are valid then we listen and help reach a common goal.

"We need to have dialogue with the DVSA, where the public are invited to hear their reasoning.

"That is the least we deserve.

"Time is running out."

The centre is set to close on April 10.