Tailbacks of traffic have been reported in Tidworth as the first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine begin to be rolled out. 

Today (January 8), those in priority groups have been receiving the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab at Tidworth Leisure Centre, which has been transformed into a vaccination site.

Traffic has been building up on Nadder Road and Ordnance Road as a result of patients making their way to the site before their appointment.

The newly-set up hub, serving residents in Tidworth, Ludgershall and Amesbury, is the second to open in the Salisbury area, after Wilton's Michael Herbert Hall became operational yesterday (January 7).

More sites are expected to be set up in the coming week.

Cllr Mark Connolly, Mayor and Chairman of Tidworth Town Council, said he was first informed about plans to open a site in Tidworth before Christmas.

Work was carried out to identify a suitable location, with the leisure centre being eventually chosen for its size which allows staff to accommodate patients waiting to get their jab, as well as those who have to stay behind for the 15-minute observation period after they have received it.

"It's got a massive double sized hall where vaccinations are taking place," Cllr Connolly said. "It is the biggest building in the area to do it."

According to the latest figures, 95 infections were recorded in Tidworth and Ludgershall alone in the week ending on January 2.

Commenting on the figure, Cllr Connolly said: "Like the rest of the country, there are people abiding by the rules and people who are not abiding by the rules and certainly, there's a percentage who are spreading it around and are not giving any thought to other people... and it's making people angry.

"I've seen a few posts on Facebook from people saying it's a conspiracy and that they won't take the vaccine.

"You can't force people to take the vaccine but my advice would be to definitely have it."

Tidworth Leisure Centre is expected to be open for vaccinations during weekdays.