Town's revamped £33m transport hub to reopen

4 hours ago

Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley

BBC News, west of England

The new Swindon town centre transport hub will open in August

Swindon Borough Council A junction between four roads with fencing, newly planted shrubbery, red cones and new markings for bus stops and cycle paths. A green and blue bus can be seen entering the junction from the left and a few workpeople can be seen on the right wearing hard hats and hi-viz jackets. — The new Swindon town centre transport hub will open in August

A major town junction is to reopen in August after a three year multi-million pound revamp.

Work on the £33m transformation of Fleming Way in Swindon, to turn it into a transport hub, began in 2022.

New cycle lanes have been created, along with bus shelters with wheelchair access wireless charging and digital screens, more bus connections and greenery.

With all bus services moved to Fleming Way, the dilapidated bus station located just off Manchester Road will be demolished, Swindon Borough Council said.

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When the scheme was first proposed it was claimed it would increase Swindon's economic productivity by more than £28m over the first 20 years and bring wider benefits to the town centre.

Swindon Borough Council leader Jim Robbins said the new hub will replace the town's "dingy, unwelcome bus station" with facilities that will leave a "lasting first impression" on visitors.

"This is just the first step in improving the town centre and encouraging the private sector to invest in Swindon," he added.

The council said FI Real Estate Management, has invested £8.5m in its nearby Newbridge Square offices, and Zurich have been working closely with landlords and organisations to improve nearby areas.

South Swindon MP, Heidi Alexander said the area will be transformed into a town centre to be "proud of"

Swindon Borough Council A new oval-shaped bus station in Swindon seen from a drone shot with newly-planted shrubbery, red cones and new markings for bus stops. The area is fenced off. — South Swindon MP, Heidi Alexander said the area will be transformed into a town centre to be "proud of"

South Swindon MP, Heidi Alexander, said the opening marks a "major step forward" in the creation of a town centre that Swindon "can be proud of".

"[It] is a vital piece of the puzzle, connecting the railway station to the town centre, attracting business investment, and improving access for local people," she said.

Final works are ongoing with scheme's contractor, Colas to make sure the site is ready for opening.

Fencing around the site will begin to come down from 15 August with bus companies starting to run services from Fleming Way from 31 August.

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