SHROPSHIRE Council has welcomed the recent application to resume driving tests in Whitchurch.

The Driver Vehicle and Standards Agency (DVSA) recently submitted a plan to use the town's Civic Centre as a test centre after the previous test centre closed in April.

Since then, the unitary authority has worked alongside Whitchurch driving instructors, Ron Ingall and Bill Hancock, as well as Whitchurch Town Council and North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan in persuading the DVSA to resurrect a test centre in the town.

Shropshire Council deputy leader Ian Nellins encouraged Whitchurch residents to make their voices heard.

He said: "We welcome this development, as we have been lobbying the DVSA and the Department for Transport to keep a driving test centre in Whitchurch since plans were announced to close the former centre.

“Retaining a test centre in the town will prevent residents of the central and north east areas of north Shropshire having to take driving tests in other towns, some potentially in other county areas, which isn’t in the best interest of local learner drivers or the driving instructors who serve the local area.

“It will benefit our residents and our businesses, especially our base of well-regarded driving instructors, and will help to retain our base of talented young people in Whitchurch and the surrounding area, fhelping them into local employment and setting them up for success in life.

“While we welcome this proposal, it’s important to note that these plans still have to go through the formal planning process before a decision is made, and we encourage people to submit their comments as part of the planning consultation.”