No plans yet for closed Covid test site in Creekmoor

As part of the government’s national policy, the Covid testing facility at the Creekmoor Park and Ride site in Poole closed on Friday, April 1, despite a surge of coronavirus cases across Dorset.

BCP Council’s licence to use Creekmoor site includes an extension until the end of the year, however no other use has yet been agreed following the closure.

As of Monday, April 11, road signs directing vehicles to the facility were still in place however it was closed to access. Several NHS staff were still on site as part of “demobilisation” efforts.

The closed Covid test site at Creekmoor Park and Ride in Poole

The site, prior to the pandemic, was mostly used as a park and ride facility for Poole over the Christmas period. It had also been earmarked as a “holding site” for vehicles travelling to The Port of Poole as part of Brexit preparations.

Regarding the site’s future, Creekmoor councillor Judy Butt told the Echo she doubted it would be empty for long and hoped it could be used for community purposes.

She said: “It’s being decommissioned now and will be kept secure until a use for it is found. We do hope to find a good use and there have been many ideas raised among residents.”

Cllr Butt suggested a mix of use for the site, including provision for a return of the park and ride service, a car boot sale site, or an electric car charging station.

“The community would love to have access to the site,” she added. “I think people would like it to be a hybrid of sorts – things with a community benefit but it’s about finding that perfect balance.

The closed Covid test site at Creekmoor Park and Ride in Poole

“I know discussions are being held on the lease but that’s a matter for the council. I would’ve thought it would make sense to shorten the lease because then it can be used for another purpose soon.”

As per the government’s Living with Covid plan, all testing sites for the public in England have ceased operations.

Cllr Butt added: “The community absolutely welcomed the test site and have been brilliant throughout. There have been ups and downs but it was a proud time for our Creekmoor community because it felt we were really providing something important for people.

• Read more: Poole Hospital wards filling with Covid amid case spike

“Not everyone in BCP wanted a site near their home but we said bring it on. I hope it served its purpose and saved thousands of lives.”

A BCP Council spokesperson said: “We had leased the use of the site to DHSC until an end date of December 31 2022 at latest, but with their ability to withdraw prior to this time given adequate notice. This is what they have done based on the national programme.
“Formal handover is in progress and then it will become a BCP site again.”