The fight to keep driving and motorbike testing centres in Haverfordwest was dealt another blow when it was announced that the car testing centre will close in February.

Representatives from the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) told members of the driving training industry in Pembrokeshire that the town’s test centre will close on February 15th.

A spokesman said: “The DSA will be vacating its existing driving test centre site in Haverfordwest as its landlord, Pembrokeshire County Council, has issued a notice which requires DSA to vacate its manoeuvring area by February 15th.

“This makes the current centre operationally unsuitable, so all testing facilities will be withdrawn from this date.”

Car testing will transfer to other driving test centres in Pembroke Dock and Cardigan, and suitable alternatives are being sought for motorbike and LGV testing.

Preseli Pembrokeshire AM, Paul Davies says the situation is unacceptable and will be a huge blow to people planning to take their car, motorbike or lorry test.

“Car learner drivers will have to travel to Pembroke Dock or Cardigan to take their test in unfamiliar surroundings and it’s still not known where motorbike or LGV learners will have to go for their tests.

“Driving instructors will also be affected as learners will migrate to other towns to learn the test routes.”

Mr Davies said he will request an urgent meeting with the county council to try to resolve the issue.

Last week the Western Telegraph reported that the closure of Pembrokeshire’s motorbike testing centre in Haverfordwest has been delayed for six months because new multi-purpose test centres were not ready.

The DSA had found a site in Haverfordwest for a new multi-purpose test centre, but was refused planning permission earlier this year.

Motorbike instructor Gerry Sutton said the latest news would affect people all over the county.

“Anyone learning to drive in Haverfordwest might now have to take their test in Pembroke Dock and some of the instructors I have spoken to are worried about the infrastructure of the town with a large influx of learners.”

Denise Dolton, of Denise’s School of Motoring, told the Western Telegraph that instructors are planning to start a petition to keep a test centre in Haverfordwest.