Measures in place to help ease congestion for busy STEAM event
Traffic marshals and extra parking enforcement will be in operation in Rodbourne over the weekend to coincide with STEAM’s Christmas extravaganza.
Published: Thursday, 28th November 2019
The Swindon Borough Council-owned museum will be hosting its annual Christmas at STEAM event on Saturday (30 Nov) and Sunday (1 Dec) and, with high numbers of people also expected at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon in the run-up to the festive season, a number of measures are being put in place in an effort to ease traffic congestion in the area.
Additional parking enforcement officers will patrol Kemble Drive and the area surrounding McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon to prevent motorists from parking in residents’ only parking bays, while marshals will be on hand in the shopping centre’s North and West car parks on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to manage traffic coming in and out.
McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon and STEAM have also secured additional off-site parking for their staff to ensure that more spaces are available for the general public in the North and West car parks throughout the weekend.
Temporary signage will also signpost motorists to alternative parking at Bristol Street car park, which also has parking charges of £1 for five hours on Saturdays and free parking on a Sunday.
Christmas at STEAM will give visitors the chance to buy festive treats and discover unique gift ideas thanks to 50 artisan market stalls displayed among the GWR story-telling exhibits and legendary locomotives.
The annual Christmas special will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm on both days.
Santa’s Storytime sessions take place in a cosy fire-place setting and include Christmas stories, sing-a-longs and a wrapped gift. Sessions cost £7.50 per child in addition to the special admission charge and are bookable in advance by visiting the STEAM website at www.steam-museum.org.uk
This year’s live performances include The Kentwood Show Choir, The Big Sing Thing Choir, The BellFlowers and Brunel Brass.
STEAM is offering a special festive admission price for Christmas at STEAM which includes entry to the whole museum. Entry costs £3 for adults, £2 for seniors (65+years) and students and £1 for children (3-15 years). Under 3s go free.
GWR locomotives on display at STEAM include GWR No. 4073 Caerphilly Castle, No. 6000 King George V and No 3440 City of Truro, on loan from the National Railway Museum.