Reports of near-misses act as further reason to move testing site

Calls came this week for the clinic to be moved as the high demand for testing continues to create long queues, impacting traffic in the CBD.

The drive-through testing site is currently located at the former Clancy Motors site in Howick Street, with people queuing for tests via the Rankin Street entry to the Bathurst RSL Club car park.

READ MORE: Calls to move Bathurst drive-through testing clinic as queues interfere with traffic

Cr Aubin said the current location is not suitable for a testing site.

"It shouldn't be there," he said.

"I've said that all along, that the Clancy's site is a pretty stupid area to have a testing clinic. Number one, it's a car park they are taking up space in and, number two, when it starts wrapping around the block it becomes an absolute traffic jam."

He and former councillor Alex Christian, who was one of the people to call for the clinic to be moved, have both received reports of near-misses between cars as a result of the queues.

"I actually had a person send me a message two days ago saying he nearly got T-boned on the roundabout of Howick and George because some goose tried to jump the line and went around the roundabout the wrong way," Cr Aubin said.

He suggested that the clinic be moved to the Cooke Hockey Complex in Kelso, which he believes would be able to better cater to the demand for testing.

He said Proctor Park might also be an option.

"They need to find somewhere else that is more people-friendly and traffic-friendly. I don't see that the old Clancy's site adds up to that at all," he said.

In a statement to the Western Advocate on Thursday, the WNSWLHD spokesperson said other locations that will lessen the impact on traffic would be considered.

"Traffic management has been an issue at the site during periods of peak demand, and measures have been put in place to mitigate these as much as is possible," they said.

"The operators of the service, the WNSWLHD, council and police will continue to work on improving traffic flow, and consider any other sites that might be raised as options."

For now, the health district is encouraging people to be "patient, respectful and considerate" while waiting for a test, and to consider if they actually need a PCR test before showing up.

They should also consider whether it is possible to self-isolate effectively and return at another time.

Cr Aubin, who is also a driving instructor, said people should try to avoid the streets around the testing site for now to limit the risk of an accident.

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