THE DRIVER Vehicle and Standards Agency (DVSA) has welcomed the decision of Shropshire Council to accommodate driving tests in Whitchurch

The Government body, which overseas driving tests, saw its application to use rooms one and two in the Civic Centre in High Street to hold tests, granted permission by the unitary authority this month.

Pupils are currently taking tests in Wrexham, Shrewsbury and Crewe and the DVSA hope to sort out logistical issues.

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A spokesperson said: "We really welcome the news on the planning application.

"It is excellent news and we look forward to progressing it forward.

"We are still in a position where we are trying to sort out a few logistical issues which remain about the site.

"We are working with the town council to overcome those issues and make sure that we are in a position to offer tests from the site."

The DVSA hope the new centre will be more convenient to pupils in the town and the surrounding area.

The spokesman said: "We haven't changed the amount of tests in the local area.

"We appreciate, it is a bit inconvenient for people in Whitchurch and the surrounding area to have to use Crewe, Shrewsbury or Wrexham.

"We acknowledge that and apologise that the site had to close initially.

"It has not been a speedy process to bring driving tests back to the town centre."

He added: "It will be convenient and closer for people in Whitchurch rather than having to go to Crewe, Shrewsbury or Wrexham."

The DVSA could not confirm when the new centre would be holding tests, but hope for it to happen as soon as possible.

When asked about why the initial centre closed, the DVSA spoke about the lease coming to an end and about Whitchurch Town Council offering the Civic Centre.

The spokesperson said: "The closure of the previous centre was down to the lease coming to an end.

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"We were able to offer the same resources to the area through other centres.

"Whitchurch Town Council worked hard to provide a centre which we thought we could possibly use if the logistical challenges were dealt with and we got the planning permission.

"So obviously, it was a massive move forward for us that we got it granted and we can work with the town council to deliver tests from the site."