A POP-UP test site for coronavirus is turning away residents despite being under-used, it is claimed.

Sources at Braintree Rugby Club say the test site set up in its car park, off Beckers Green Road, has appeared deserted on a number of occasions, but claim some members have still been forced to travel up to 85 miles to get tested for Covid-19.

The rugby club has been used as pop-up test site for several months, including on Tuesday and Friday last week.

But after making a trip to the clubhouse last week to do some house-keeping, a source at the club told the Times they were shocked to see the site almost completely deserted.

They said: “I know from our membership that people have been unable to get tests locally.

“I have a vulnerable friend who tried for three days to get a local test.

“Some of our members had to drive to Kettering for a test.

“One of our members was at the club on Tuesday when the tests were being done.

“He noticed that we had no cars visiting the testing centre so went to speak to them and ask if a family could have tests.

“They said no – they are not allowed to do unbooked tests.

“The fact is they are not doing tests. It would be interesting to see how many tests they get next time.

“It’s a farce.”

Readers say they have also experienced difficulties booking tests, with some waiting days to find an available slot, while others have been asked to travel as far as Leicester.

There was further frustration and anger on Tuesday when a pop-up test site was set up again at Braintree Rugby Club.

But a number of people who had pre-booked tests turned up to find no officials on site.

One of them, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the Times: “Dozens of people have booked coronavirus tests and on arrival there is no testing centre in site.

“We all tried calling various phone lines.

“I was told everyone should go home and try again later as there was no availability in the area.

“There was a continuous flow of people with Covid symptoms arriving with no testing site waiting for them, just a car park full of other confused patients.”

‘Spike in demand for virus tests’

The Government insists it is working hard to resolve issues with the coronavirus testing system.

However, the Department for Health and Social Care was unable to explain why the pop-up test site in Braintree appeared to be under-used.

A spokesman said: “NHS Test and Trace is providing tests at an unprecedented scale – 225,000 a day on average over the last week – with the vast majority of people getting tested within six miles of their home.

“There has been a spike in demand in recent weeks and the message is clear – only people with symptoms should be requesting a test.

“We are working around the clock to make sure everyone who needs a test can get one, including by bringing in new labs that can process tens of thousands of tests a day, opening new test sites, and trialling new rapid tests that will give results on the spot.

“Everyone has a part to play – you can protect yourself, loved ones and the public by washing your hands, wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces, practising social distancing and self-isolating if you may have come into contact with this virus.”