NHS close Covid test site after estate cut off by gridlock

A Covid-19 test site has been closed after massive queues left people unable to get home for nearly an hour.

The mobile coronavirus unit at Newton Farm Primary School, South Lanarkshire, was so busy that traffic was backed up for 1.5 miles onto Blantyre Farm Road.

The jam cut off access to Newton Farm, the estate surrounding the school, leaving residents stranded.

Fiona Morrow who lives there said: “Why has Newton Farm been allowed to end up in total gridlock due to the testing centre at Newton Farm Primary School?

The queue for Newton Farm Primary School test site. Submitted

“There’s only one way in and out for so many houses and emergency vehicles would never get through it.

“A whole area turned into a car park because of covid testing chaos, school car park cannot cope with this pressure, local residents stuck on many surrounding roads.”

NHS Lanarkshire apologised for the disruption but said this was the first time there had been traffic issues since opening in May.

Ms Morrow said the gridlock on Thursday was the second time this week the estate had been affected with a neighbour left waiting for 45 minutes to get home.

The health board said the test site at the school would be closed during the week and only operate at the weekend after STV News asked about the traffic issues.

Dr Alison Smith-Palmer, NHS Lanarkshire consultant in Public Health, said: “We would like to apologise for the disruption and any inconvenience caused. Since opening in May, this is the first time we have had traffic issues.

“However, the decision has been made to close the mobile testing unit during the week and we will be providing a weekend-only service at this site going forward.

“With the recent rise in cases it is important that people take a lateral flow test twice each week. There are several ways people can get tests; from testing sites across Lanarkshire, getting kits from a pharmacy or have them delivered to your home. Information and advice about all the testing options is available in the NHS Lanarkshire website and the NHS Inform website.”