Queues at coronavirus testing centre at Preston’s College site in Fulwood

Traffic queuing up in St Vincent's Road for the coronavirus test site Pic: StePNE — Traffic queuing up in St Vincent’s Road for the coronavirus test site Pic: StePNE

Testing of essential workers in Preston for coronavirus has been ramping up.

Queues of cars were backed up down St Vincent’s Road in Fulwood during Saturday morning.

Preston’s College has been turned into a drive-through government coronavirus testing centre by the Lancashire Resilience Forum.

Nearby residents reported long tailbacks as drivers queued up to access the site for a coronavirus test.

Preston Police said on Saturday afternoon they have been forced to close St Vincent’s Road turn in from Sharoe Green Lane due to congestion.

#Preston road closure by @LancashireCC

St. Vincent's Rd junction with Sharoe Green Lane due to sheer level of congestion for people accessing Covid-19 test site.

If you are accessing test site or live off St.Vincent's Rd please access via Garstang Rd. If not pls avoid.

Thanks pic.twitter.com/cT6RQGtoMn
— Preston Police (@PrestonPolice) April 25, 2020

It comes as the government said it was asking key workers to register for a coronavirus test online.

Essential workers being checked in at the coronavirus test site Pic:StePNE

Online slots for drive-through sites in England were booked up within an hour on Saturday morning according to the BBC.

Work began to set up the coronavirus test site at the college in mid-April and was initially for NHS staff-only but this has now been opened out to key workers as the government works to reach its target of 100,000 tests per day by the end of April.

Anyone classified as an essential worker who is showing symptoms can request a test in England.

Did you try and get tested this morning? Let us know your experience in the comments below or email contactus@blogpreston.co.uk