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Some hauliers will have to travel an extra 40 miles for an HGV test following VOSA's decision to close the testing station at Llandrindod Wells, Powys.

VOSA has confirmed that the site will close on 25 September with staff being transferred over to neighbouring sites. However local  hauliers say the nearest station is in Hereford, more than 40 miles away.

"Llandrindod Wells has been sold to a developer. Several parties have shown interest in setting up Designated Premises (DPs) in the area," a VOSA spokeswoman says.

In September 2008, VOSA said it was looking to relocate pending an offer for the land from Tesco.

However the agency confirms that no Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs) have been established despite the Department for Transport (DfT) wanting 85% of tests to be delivered at them by 2013.

Rt.com's interactive guide to VOSA test station closures

View Vosa Test Station closures in a larger map

Michael Gough, partner at local haulier AE Gough & Sons, retorts: "It's uneconomical at the moment for anyone to invest in an ATF or DP, so now we are left very disappointed. VOSA claims it is customer-led, but that's not true for us. With 26 HGVs to run this will become very costly."

Stations at Bredbury, Stockport and Par St Austell have already closed this year, but the closure of the Steeton, Bradford station has been postponed.