PROTESTING driving instructors from Whitchurch have led a convoy through the town as part of the ongoing campaign to keep the test centre open.

The gathering on Wednesday (March 9) was led by Ron Ingall, chairman of Whitchurch Driving Instructors, who has worked in the area for many years and said the closure of the centre would be devastating.

The Driver Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) plans to close it on April 10.

Mr Ingall said: "My heart bleeds, it has been my entire instructing life.

"I love my job, I love working in Whitchurch, the people are great.

"I work in Malpas and Wem.

"In parts of Wales and Cheshire, people rely on Whitchurch."

Whitchurch Herald: Driving instructors in Sainsbury's car park, London Road Whitchurch

The campaign has also been well supported by North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan, although she was unable to attend the protest as she recently tested positive for Covid-19 and is isolating.

Mr Ingall continued: "I am surprised that the MPs for the Cheshire border and the Welsh border haven't been giving us as much support.

"It is their constituents that it is going to hit as hard as our constituents in north Shropshire.

"They ought to be up in arms and giving us support down at the DVSA."

He added: "Some of the pupils cannot afford to go somewhere else."

There was a good turnout for the protest which met at the town’s Sainsbury’s store and travelled around the town centre and passed the test centre itself.

Other instructors at the event said they did feel the convoy was a success and worthwhile.

Mark Lloyd said: "It has been very well supported.

"We have got 15, 16 driving schools here and we had a couple of people phone me and wish us good luck.

"We have had lots of support online with the petition.

"We have got a hard copy of the petition.

"The support is there, the fight isn't over.

"It will continue."

Whitchurch Herald: Cars lined up in Sainsbury's car park, London Road, Whitchurch

Also in attendance was Shropshire councillor for Whitchurch North, Tom Biggins, who said he was annoyed by the lack of consultation by the DVSA.

He said: "What really annoys me is the DVSA haven't actually consulted with anybody.

"They haven't consulted with the driving instructors, their pupils, local councils, literally nobody.

"I think in this age that is totally unacceptable.

"I think there has been a lot of support from everybody.

"This is very much a local issue."

Last month Shropshire Council agreed to lobby Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to reverse the decision by the DVSA following a motion put forward by Cllr Biggins.

The DVSA has been asked for a response following today’s protest.