FRUSTRATIONS threatened to boil over at a meeting as it appeared that Trowbridge is no closer to getting learner drivers shorter waiting times to take their tests.

Trowbridge Town Council staff, MP Andrew Murrison and local driving instructors met Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency operations manager, Rob Hill, to talk about getting a permanent test centre in the town and ways to try and reduce Trowbridge’s 15-week waiting list.

Protestors say calls to increase the number of days and to get an extra examiner at the town’s Longfield Community Centre, which is only open Monday and Tuesday, from Salisbury, where waiting times are around five weeks, were ignored.

“It is quite confusing, very frustrating and we don’t feel we are any closer to getting a permanent test centre in Trowbridge,” said Shamrock driving instructor Gary Fossey.

“I don’t feel that any progress has been made, in regards to a test centre or cutting down waiting times by getting people over from Salisbury.

“The DVSA admitted that waiting times in Trowbridge or Westbury are longer than people would like but did not say about how to improve that and our suggestions seem to fall on deaf ears.

“I understood from Richard Hennessey’s letter that the DVSA team were exploring options for a more permanent test centre provision that will meet the needs of people in and around the Trowbridge/Westbury areas.

“As was discussed at the recent meeting, and stated in Dr Andrew Murrison MP’s letter to the Secretary of State for Transport, there can be no question over the suitability of Trowbridge since the topography is similar to Chippenham and many other DTC towns.”

In response, Mr Hill said that the letter stated there were not many suitable routes available in Trowbridge and Westbury, therefore it is unlikely a permanent provision will be established there.

“I also had a copy of Richard’s letter and I said that in my opinion the letter refers to finding a permanent test centre in and around surrounding areas,” said Mr Hill.

“I also explained that I interpret the letter differently and further correspondence between the Agency and yourself (Mr Fossey) served to clarify the situation.”

Richard Hennessy, DVSA Director of Operations, said: “DVSA’s priority is to help you through a lifetime of safe driving.

“After looking into the provision of driving tests in rural Wiltshire, DVSA is considering ways to improve access, but has yet to identify a solution which could bring a standardised driving test to all candidates.

“Driving tests in Trowbridge and Westbury are provided to help boost the service in west Wiltshire.

Cllr Peter Fuller said: “I thought it was productive to meet with the DVSA and hopefully they will listen to us because there are some concerns that need to be addressed.