Campaigners, helped by MPs Duncan Hames and Andrew Murrison, had feared the closure would lead to a backlog. They said it was unfair learner drivers would have to travel to Bristol, Swindon or Salisbury.

But the shut-down, due to take place from February 28 for refurbishments, has been postponed indefinitely.

Gary Fossey of Shamrock Driving School, who has been heavily involved in the campaign to keep the centre open, said: “The Driving Standards Agency gave no formal notice of the temporary closure, which only came to light when learner drivers were unable to book tests for March.

“The chaotic thing about it is that they planned to close it without even holding a work specification to say how long the work would take.”

A Freedom of Information request conducted by Mr Fossey revealed that the DSA was still at the early planning stages when it announced the closure.

As a result of local pressure, the agency has now confirmed the centre will remain open and refurbishment work has been postponed.

Mr Fossey said: “I am relieved and the pupils even more so, but it’s caused a lot of upset and concern for learner drivers. It shows a total lack of concern for customers.”

A DSA spokesman said: “There was a poster that was put up in the test centre on November 30 to let people know it was going to shut from February 9 to March 22.

“A letter was also sent out to local approved driving instructors.

“When it was decided that work couldn’t go ahead we sent a letter to people to let people know.

“It was down to a resource issue at this end.”