Swindon Borough Council has announced that a contract to create a new public transport interchange in Swindon town centre has been awarded to Colas Projects.
The Fleming Way Bus Boulevard scheme, which has been developed by the council, will see Fleming Way transformed to accommodate all bus services in the town and will include a new public open space on the north side with a green central spine to increase biodiversity.
Colas will plant trees and bee-friendly plants, which will introduce more greenery and biodiversity to the area, and form part of sustainable urban drainage systems that will run down the centre of the carriageway.
The scheme will also feature improved pedestrian and cycle routes and the removal of the current Fleming Way underpass, creating a route from the train station into the town centre.
Swindon Borough Council submitted a business case to the UK government to obtain £25m in funding from the Future High Streets Fund. It is estimated that the overall project will help to increase land values in the area by an additional £34m, making it more attractive to investors.
Councillor Gary Sumner, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for infrastructure, transport and planning, said: “This scheme is so important for the town centre because it will help to unlock wider regeneration.
“In recent times, the low land values in this part of town have made it less attractive to investors and developers, so we are using government funding to improve the local area and make it a place they want to put in their money.
“We are effectively giving the rejuvenation of the town centre a kick-start, helping us bounce back strongly from the shift to online retail and the effects of the pandemic.”
