The Secretary of State for Transport has been asked that he intervenes to save Llandrindod Wells Driving Test Centre.

Kirsty Williams MS has written to Grant Shapps MP, who is responsible for the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), after receiving letters from concerned driving instructors and learners.

The Member of Senedd for Brecon and Radnorshire says the DVSA “could have done more to try to secure another premises in the town”.

Tests have been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, and a final date for the closure has yet to be announced.

The DVSA said the long-term contract for the premises will not be renewed by the landlord when it expires on June 30.

DVSA chief executive Gareth Llewellyn said: “We have not considered, and will not be considering, alternative premises. We have no plans to replace the driving test centre in Llandrindod Wells.”

Since news of the closure first broke, Kirsty Williams and Welsh Liberal Democrat County Councillors Pete Roberts (Llandrindod South) and Jake Berriman (Llandrindod North), have been looking for a solution, and say there are a number of suitable alternative sites in the town.

Powys Council confirmed to Ms Williams that a location was available at County Hall, but the DVSA has not taken the proposal forward.

She said: “This is a huge disappointment, the next nearest test centres for learners in the north of the constituency are Brecon and Newtown which is a significant distance to travel.

“Whilst I recognise that the decision has come about due to the premises not being available after June 30, I believe that the DVSA could have done more to try to secure another premises in the town. I will continue fighting to keep a driving test centre open in Llandrindod.”

Cllr Jake Berriman added: “This disappointing decision will have a significant negative impact on learners and instructors, not just in my ward but across Radnorshire.”

More than 1,820 people have signed a change.org petition to stop the closure.

“Let’s try and get that number higher and show the strength of support that there is for this facility to remain in the town,” she said.

“Several local people had come forward with suggestions for alternative locations for the DTC in the town, which I had passed onto the DVSA.

“The response says that they are not willing to consider these and states that they ‘have no plans to replace the driving test centre’.

“I do not think that this is good enough. Many people in Radnorshire will have to travel significant distances to access a driving test should the Centre close.

“I have already drawn this matter to the attention of the Westminster Government (to whom the DVSA are responsible) and asked for their intervention with the DVSA. I am awaiting a response and will provide an update when I receive one”.