Construction work on a new driving centre in Steeton is under way.

The Driving Standards Agency expects the centre, on the industrial estate at Steeton Grove, to be fully operational by the end of next month.

The centre, which will test drivers of cars and light goods vehicles (LGVs), and motorcyclists, is at a former HGV testing station.

The centre will replace the Keighley driving test centre – which closed in 2010 for health and safety reasons – and the current Skipton centre.

The DSA received planning permission for the centre last October. A spokesman for the government agency said: “The redeveloped centre is expected to open for car and Module 2 motorcycle testing some time in August 2012.”

Bradford Council gave planning permission for the new centre despite opposition from Steeton-with-Eastburn parish council.

Parish council chairman David Mullen voiced concerns about projected vehicle movements of up to 240 a day, and potential use of Steeton streets by learner drivers.

The DSA responded that the centre would have a negligible effect on the local road network, would generate additional employment, and would not affect a proposed cycle route to Steeton railway station.

Councillor Adrian Naylor called for a review of how the local road network was being affected by both recent and future building.

He accepted that individual developments might be beneficial for the area, and not dramatically affect local roads, but taken together with other projects would cause problems.

He said: “We're seeing a lot of development which will impact on the already- busy junctions. We have to look at investing in improvements to the road system in Steeton."