Hartlepool MP welcomes new drive-through coronavirus test centre for frontline staff

The new facility has been established at the Teesside Park Cinema Complex.

The moves comes after Government officials originally set up a region-wide drive-through testing centre at the IKEA site, in Gateshead, meaning that frontline workers had to travel dozens of miles to Tyneside to be tested.

“The Government’s focus on ramping up testing is welcome and included in that is the new testing facility at the Teesside Park Cinema Complex,” said Mr Hill.

“Predominantly run by the Army, it is far more accessible to local key workers than the IKEA site in Gateshead.

“I am very pleased that the Government are listening to local politicians like myself and local councils about the need to make testing more accessible to local workers and their families during these difficult times.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you