Questions have been raised over a rapid test centre's accessibility for those with disabilities and the elderly.

Ashford's symptom-free Covid-19 test site opened near Cineworld last week, filling a unit on the Eurogate Business Park.

Kent County Council says everyone without symptoms should get tested every two weeks, especially if they are leaving the house for a necessary reason, such as going to work or shopping for essentials.

But resident Colin Barling, who is in his 50s, feels the Army-run facility is in a location which makes it difficult for non-drivers to get to.

The out-of-town site - just off Junction 9 of the M20 - opened last Thursday and residents have praised the efficient service offered by staff.

But Mr Barling, who lives near Victoria Park, says some might be put off due to a lack of public transport and parking.

"My wife had to get a certificate as she works with children, but there was very little parking when we visited," he said.

"I was with her and was able to stay in the car but there aren't enough spaces to properly park up as all the other businesses on-site take them up.

"I don't drive as I have epilepsy, so I'm always quite aware of people's access to places without a car.

"The first bus stop near it is coming off the motorway at Junction 9 and is on a pretty steep hill, so it's not ideal for the elderly.

"Also people are still buzzing along on the road, so it's quite a dangerous road for pedestrians and cyclists."

He also queried the number of buses running in the area and suggested the brownfield site in Elwick Road next to the Elwick Place leisure complex would have been a better location.

But Ashford MP Damian Green said: "I know there are buses that go up to Eureka Park so it's not that far from routes with frequent buses.

"If you had it in the town centre - where all Ashford buses go to - then we'd have parking problems.

"We have to find that balance between parking and public transport.

"Also we'd have to secure a building in the town centre that could hold a testing centre, which means it would have to be quite large. That would be tricky in itself."

Mr Barling questioned whether there would be parking problems, saying: "No parking in the town centre? There's plenty of pay-and-display parking across the town."

Bosses running the centre say test results should be provided within two hours through the contact details residents supply - you do not have to stay at the testing facility.

The process involves taking a swab of the inside of your nose and the back of your throat using a long cotton bud.

To book a test at the Eurogate site - which is one of 19 rapid testing facilities in Kent - click here.

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