THE Borders’ site for PCR coronavirus tests is ‘depriving’ residents of a vital community hub, a meeting has heard.

The walk-through test site at Langlee Community Centre is operated by the UK Government’s Department of Health and Social Care.

During a full council meeting last week, Galashiels councillor Harry Scott asked the council whether it would find a different site for the testing station after receiving concerns from a community group.

Mr Scott said that the continued use of the centre by the NHS is “denying the use of the large hall and café to the groups who normally use those facilities”.

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Selkirkshire councillor Gordon Edgar – the council’s executive member for infrastructure, travel and transport – said that the site has “high usage”.

“The UK Government has asked that the PCR test sites remain operational until March 2022,” he said. “The current lease expires in January 2022.

“The Langlee site is the only PCR site in the Borders. It has a high usage which is anticipated to increase over the winter period.

“It is in a relatively central location within the most populated Borders locality. Five groups were displaced from Langlee, all five groups were offered alternative provision.”

Responding, Mr Scott, an independent representative, said: “I appreciate the need to support the NHS in the early stages of this horrible pandemic but things have moved on now.

“The other side of the coin is this centre in Langlee is in the middle of one of the areas that houses some of the poorest and socially deprived individuals in the Borders.

“This centre is vital in the maintenance of their mental health and wellbeing.

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“I don’t think it’s acceptable that this Langlee community is deprived of this centre for any longer than is necessary.”

According to Mr Scott, he has received correspondence from NHS Scotland stating that the “required facilities for a testing station are not overly prescriptive”.

Mr Edgar said that Scottish Borders Council officers are “actively engaged in finding alternative sites”.

However, the independent councillor said that the requirements of any potential new site – including the need for safe queuing, separate entry and exit routes and sufficient toilet facilities – is making this difficult.

He said that the old school buildings at council headquarters had been looked at but were discounted due to space and accessibility issues.

Mr Edgar added that empty retail units in Galashiels had also been considered.

PCR tests can also be accessed through mobile testing units and home test kits, according to NHS Borders.