The overflow car park located off the main Newerne Street Car Park in Lydney will be closed for general access from Wednesday 10 March.

The closure is to allow the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to use the overflow car park as part of its Covid testing programme in the Forest of Dean.

Closing off the area will mean members of the public will be unable to access the recycling banks located there. Instead, residents should consider using alternative sites in the town, located at Bream Road Car Park and the staff car park at Tesco, or the local Household Recycling Centre.

The location is one of three in the district to be utilised by DHSC for administering Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests via its drive-through Mobile Testing Unit (MTU). PCR tests - for those showing Covid19 symptoms - must be pre-booked in advance through GOV.UK.

Councillor Sid Phelps, Cabinet Member for the Environment at the Forest of Dean District Council, said: "We are pleased to be able to assist the DHSC with the next stage of testing and give residents more choice about where they can go and get a Covid test in the Forest of Dean if they need one.

"We appreciate closing off the recycling banks may cause some inconvenience for those residents who regularly use the facilities, but alternative arrangements are in place at the Bream Road car park, located behind Lydney library, and at Tesco's staff car park. Where possible we would urge householders to use their weekly kerbside collection service, as this will help us manage demand.

"The entrance barrier to the overflow car park will only be open on certain days to allow access to those individuals visiting the testing unit and for no other reason. The barrier will be locked at all other times. Whether you would normally drive to the recycling banks or go on foot, please do not attempt to use them as our collection vehicles, and those of our external contractors, will not be able to empty them."

Residents disposing of their recycling at alternative sites are reminded not to leave items on the ground or on top of the banks.

Although the MTU schedule will be reviewed regularly, the overflow car park may be shut for a number of months. It is recommended that residents check whether the site has re-opened before they visit.

The main Newerne Street car park will remain open as usual.

Alternative recycling sites in the district can be found on the Council's website: www.fdean.gov.uk.

New or additional kerbside containers can be ordered by calling the Forest of Dean District Council on 01594 81000. Containers cannot be collected from the council offices at the current time, as the offices remain closed to visitors.

Excess recycling - including large pieces of cardboard - should be taken to the Household Recycling Centre at Oak Quarry, Broadwell. Members of the public wishing to use the HRC must pre-book their visit in advance at: www.gloucestershirerecycles.com.

Gloucestershire residents unsure about which test they require can find more information can at: www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/testing.