Plans to transform Wellington Street to be displayed for the public
The proposals to revamp the main thoroughfare from the railway station to the town centre will be on display for all to see later this week.
Published: Wednesday, 5th December 2018
The one-off drop in event is being held to enable residents, members of the public, local businesses, transport providers, emergency services and community groups to see for themselves the planned improvement works.
The plans include a segregated pedestrian and cycle path along Wellington Street along with a new pedestrian crossing. Also, a raised carriageway with ramps to slow vehicles will be included where Wellington Street meets Manchester Road.
Officers from the Council’s project team will be on hand to answer questions and provide information, along with the consultant designer and Britannia Construction Ltd, the appointed contractor for the scheme.
The Wellington Street improvements will begin next month and they mark the first of a series of regeneration projects that will take place in the town centre over the next 12 months.
Councillor Maureen Penny, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and the Environment, said: “I would encourage people to attend this information session as they will be able to see the detailed plans to transform Wellington Street.
“The road is the main gateway into Swindon from the railway station and the first thing people see when they get off the train, so these improvement works are vital to making the town a more welcoming place.
“Enhancing Wellington Street as a prime thoroughfare is one of this Council’s key pledges and I am pleased to be able to say that the works will go ahead in the next few weeks.”
Councillor Dale Heenan, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for the Town Centre, said: “Smartening up Wellington Street is important because it is people's first view of Swindon after they leave the station, but it has been talked about for a long time now. Cllr Penny and I are determined to see visible progress on this work so that it can send another strong signal to local residents, businesses and investors that the regeneration of the town centre is finally underway.
“These Wellington Street improvements will be completed just as construction of the indoor ski slope at North Star starts at Easter – so 2019 promises to be a big year for the town.”
The plans to transform Wellington Street will be available to scrutinise at the Great Western Hotel from 12.30pm to 7pm on Friday, 7 December 2018.