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Improved route to open after diversion 'hardship'

BBC Bus Boulevard project manager, Liam Hill-Davis, with short cropped hair standing in front of workers with high-visibility jackets and hard hats in a construction siteBBC
Liam Hill-Davis, project manager, said he felt the "real hardship" for people who have had to walk around the site

Pedestrians will have better access to a town centre for the festive shopping season because of progress made on a multi-million pound construction project.

Work began on Swindon's £33m Bus Boulevard scheme in April 2022, with pedestrians facing long diversions and drivers suffering traffic disruption since September 2022 when Fleming Way was closed.

However, from 5 December, people will once again be able to walk directly into the town centre from the current bus station.

The Bus Boulevard aims to give Swindon a greener, prettier and more functional bus station, and is set for completion in summer 2025, 12 months later than scheduled.

A long walk for pedestrians around the Bus Boulevard construction site will end on 5 December

"We felt the real hardship for those walking around the site" said project manager, Liam Hill-Davis.

Direct access from the current bus station to the town centre will no longer include the old subway which has been removed as part of the redevelopment.

"We'd like to thank everyone for their cooperation and understanding," added Mr Hill-Davis.

Piping sticking up out of the ground on the edge of the traffic diversion
Work began on Swindon's £33m Bus Boulevard scheme in April 2022

The scheme faced delays shortly after construction began when it was discovered telecommunication cables were not buried deep enough for the new designs.

Mr Hill-Davis said: "It took a lot of expertise between the contractors, Swindon Borough Council and the utilities companies to coordinate how to get the work done."

Leader of Swindon Borough Council, Jim Robbins, wearing a navy blue check jacket standing in front of the construction site
Leader of Swindon Borough Council, Jim Robbins, said the long-term benefits of the project would outweigh the short-term pain

Jim Robbins, leader of Swindon Borough Council, said he recognised the disruption the work had caused but remained "hopeful" that the "long-term benefits will outweigh the pain people have had to deal with in the short-term".

Once the Bus Boulevard opens the old bus station will be demolished, which Robbins viewed as one of the biggest benefits, he said: "That's the prize everybody can look forward to.

"That building is not a nice space, it's not a safe space."

Workers in high-visibility trousers and jackets planting greenery on the Bus Boulevard site
Landscape work is ongoing as part of the redevelopment

Councillor Chris Watts, cabinet member for transport and environment, said the scheme would provide "value for money".

"It is an incredibly important piece of land as far as the town centre regeneration is concerned," said Mr Watts.

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