Local judge criticises DVLA

District Judge Barney McElholm made the comments as he was dealing with a number of minor traffic offences at the local magistrate’s court.

In one case, a man had sent his licence away in August last year to the DVLA and it was still not returned nine months later.

Judge McElholm said that this was a common occurrence and criticised the DVLA for the delays.

‘Since the DVLA moved to Swansea, there seems to have been a complete breakdown in communications’.

He added; ‘There has been a severe drop off in performance since it has gone to Swansea.”

Judge McElholm said he would not be take any action against the defendant who did not have his licence.