NEV highway schemes
The New Eastern Villages development will provide 8,000 homes east of the A419. We are improving nearby roads, junctions, walking routes and cycling routes to support the development.
Traffic modelling showed that some junctions could not manage the expected increase in traffic. The improvements will make traffic easier to manage and improve safety.
More than £80 million is being invested in Swindon’s roads. Some schemes had to take place at the same time because of funding restrictions.
Completed road improvement schemes
White Hart Junction
White Hart Junction is a main route into Swindon. It connects the A420 with the A419.
The improvements included a new slip road, providing a safer and quicker connection to the A419 and M4.
- Work took place: October 2019 to May 2022
- Railway work started: October 2019
- Carriageway work started: summer 2020
- Cost: £30.3 million
- Contractor: Octavius, previously known as Osborne Infrastructure Ltd
- Funding: Department for Transport and Local Growth Fund
What the work delivered
- Traffic signals at White Hart roundabout
- A new northbound slip road onto the A419
- A wider southbound slip road from the A419 to White Hart roundabout
- A new bridge over the railway
- More lanes on the roundabout
- A resurfaced roundabout
- A new allotment for residents
- The existing footbridge was retained
The new northbound slip road replaced the old slip road on Merlin Way. The old road did not meet current design standards.
It also did not give heavy goods vehicles enough distance to reach the same speed as traffic on the A419.
The entrance from White Hart Junction to Ermin Street was closed. It was replaced by a new road and priority junction from Oxford Road.
View the White Hart Junction plan.
Gablecross Junction
- Work took place: early 2021 to May 2022
- Cost: £8.4 million
- Contractor: Dyer and Butler
What the work delivered
- A larger roundabout, extended to the south to provide more capacity
- A revised access road to Sainsbury’s car park and the truck stop
- A larger and better aligned entrance from Thornhill Road
- Improvements to the eastbound exit onto the A420
- Traffic signals at both A420 entrances and the Thornhill Way entrance
- Priority access for Sainsbury’s and St Margaret’s Retail Park
- New traffic signals at the Gablecross police station junction
- Energy-efficient LED lighting and new street furniture
The police station junction signals are linked to those at Gablecross and Symmetry Park. This helps manage traffic along the A420.
Nythe Junction and Piccadilly roundabout
- Work took place: January 2021 to July 2022
- Cost: £7.3 million
- Contractor: R and W Civil Engineering
Improvements at Nythe Junction
- Two approach lanes in each direction on the A4312 Oxford Road
- An improved crossing for pedestrians and cyclists
- Improved drainage and new measures to reduce flooding
- Smart traffic signals with sensors that detect queues
- Verges planted with hard-wearing grass
- Energy-efficient LED lighting and new street furniture
Improvements at Piccadilly roundabout
- A larger central island
- Wider approach roads
- Improved splitter islands, which separate traffic approaching the roundabout
- Improved road markings
- Controlled crossings for pedestrians and cyclists
- Improved drainage
- Bus stops moved from the roundabout and its immediate approaches to Dorcan Way
- Energy-efficient LED lighting
- New bus stops, traffic signals, kerbs and other street furniture
Greenbridge roundabout
We improved Greenbridge roundabout as part of the programme to prepare routes into Swindon for the New Eastern Villages development.
- Work took place: April 2016 to February 2017
- Cost: £5.3 million
- Contractor: Wills Brothers
What the work delivered
- More lanes on the roundabout
- Wider entrance and exit roads
- Traffic signals on all approaches
- More pedestrian and cycle crossings
- A new exit from Greenbridge Retail Park to reduce traffic on the roundabout
View the Greenbridge roundabout improvement plan.
The Hub and Symmetry Park junction
The Hub and Symmetry Park was the first New Eastern Villages development to receive outline planning permission.
The completed development will provide land for logistics and distribution businesses. A new entrance from the A420 serves the employment area and new housing to the south.
New South Marston footbridge
Network Rail replaced two pedestrian level crossings near South Marston with one footbridge.
The work formed part of the Great Western Railway electrification project. Network Rail delivered it in partnership with the council.
The bridge opened to pedestrians in early 2018. A new public footpath runs along the north side of the railway.
The path connects both existing footpaths to the bridge.
The area around the bridge is currently rural. However, land north of the railway forms part of the New Eastern Villages development.
The bridge will provide an important route between the northern and southern parts of the development.
Most community facilities will be in the southern villages, including:
- health services
- employment
- shops
- secondary education
Planned and ongoing improvements
Southern Connector Road
Find out about the Southern Connector Road.
Eastern access from the A420 at Rowborough
A new road is planned under the railway near Acorn Bridge. It will provide access from the A420 to the New Eastern Villages.
New walking and cycling crossing over the A420
A new crossing is being considered to provide a safe and convenient route between the A420 and the New Eastern Villages.
Options for the crossing are being investigated.
Accessible ramps at New South Marston footbridge
We intend to provide ramps at the New South Marston footbridge as nearby housing is built. The ramps will be designed to meet the Equality Act 2010.
An initial feasibility study has been completed. We will consult on high-level design options.