Multi-million pound regeneration of town centre gateway ready for opening

Earlier today (15 Aug), dignitaries, councillors, representatives from bus operators and local businesses were given a tour of Fleming Way ahead of bus services going live in two weeks’ time.

Funded by the Government’s Future High Streets Fund (£25m), the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Growth Fund (£3m) and Swindon Borough Council (£5m), the £33m investment in Fleming Way has created a brand-new bus interchange to replace the current dilapidated bus station.

Visitors arriving into the town centre by train, bus or bike will now enjoy a vastly-improved public realm, with 186 trees and more than 23,000 plants and bushes planted.

There are new bus shelters with more space to allow those in wheelchairs better access, wireless phone charging, digital screens (with Real Time Information for departures) and solar panels.

More than 30 local and regional bus routes will use the new facility, with National Express routes using a new dedicated pick-up and drop-off point.

New segregated cycle lanes have also been added, connecting the town’s two main cycle routes allowing cyclists to travel to, or through, the town centre.

Over the next two weeks, ahead of bus services operating from the interchange on Sunday, 31 August, the scheme’s principal contractor, Colas, will be taking down fencing around the site and completing any remedial work. The local bus companies will also be using the road to train their drivers on the new layout during this period.

Once all bus services move to Fleming Way, the current bus station, located just off Manchester Road, will be demolished.

The improvements to the road and wider public realm have already been referenced by global banking giant Zurich as a reason for why it committed to keeping its headquarters in Swindon, located in Unity Place next to Fleming Way.

It is also why other landowners, such as FI Real Estate Management, has invested £8.5m in its nearby Newbridge Square offices.

Councillor Chris Watts, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Transport, said: “It’s great to see the transformational impact Fleming Way has had on this part of the town centre.

“This was a hugely complex and challenging scheme to deliver, but our project team has done a fantastic job and the improvements are there for all to see. I’d like to say a big thank you to them and everyone else who’s had a hand in the scheme, from the contractors and suppliers to the residents and community groups who fed back on the early designs.

“We now have a modern, accessible, green interchange which has created a safer and more welcoming environment for visitors and shoppers alike.

“We will also now be able to demolish the run-down bus station as we continue with our plans to breathe new life into the town centre through our Heart of Swindon vision by building a new town centre entertainment venue next to Fleming Way.

“This scheme has already acted as a catalyst for nearby landlords to invest millions of pounds in their own assets and I am very much looking forward to seeing that continue in the years ahead.”

Heidi Alexander, MP for Swindon South, said: “As a born-and-bred Swindon girl, nothing gives me more pride than opening brand-new public transport infrastructure in the heart of our town.

“This new interchange will make life better for bus users, walkers, and cyclists, and is a glimpse of a better future for Swindon’s town centre.

“It sets the standard for the sort of regeneration our town needs and I’d like to thank everyone whose perseverance and determination has made this high quality scheme happen."

Chris Hanson, Managing Director for Stagecoach West, said: “Stagecoach buses are a key part of helping to connect people and places in Swindon and beyond and the new interchange at Fleming Way will provide customers with state-of-the-art journey planning which will be transformational for them.

“Our Stagecoach fleet will be operating almost 1,000 journeys each week from the new interchange and this investment shows the continued importance of bus travel to the people of Wiltshire.

“We’re incredibly excited to be offering services from Fleming Way and we’re sure our customers will find the new station easy to use and much more accessible.”

Ben Murray, Managing Director at Swindon’s Bus Company, said: “We were thrilled to have been present to witness the unveiling of this state-of-the-art hub.

“This is a spectacular transformation. The location promises to be one of the region’s major transport hubs, and we are excited to be operating our services here.

“We’re delighted that our customers will have access to such pleasant surroundings and superb facilities before-and-after they travel with us.

“Our own operation will also benefit - with customers enjoying even more efficient and reliable bus services running from this excellent central hub. We look forward to welcoming people on board here very soon.”