YOUR VIEWS: £33 million bus boulevard project in Swindon town centre
Some local residents have voiced their opposition to the transport scheme
Last updated 29th Apr 2022
We have been getting reaction to a major transport project in Swindon town centre.
Building work on the £33 million bus boulevard started on Fleming Way last week and is expected to continue for more than two years.
It would be fair to say the scheme is receiving a mixed reception from local residents. Some people, including Richard Hewitt, believe the period of disruption is too long.
"There is nothing down there anyway. As for the completion date, that’s a joke," he said.
'Yet another waste of money'
Bob Brewer, who we spoke to in Swindon, is also pessimistic about the development.
"They’re always digging something up here. There’s all the work they did on the White Hart and London Road, now there’s this.
"I don’t think making it more difficult to get into town is what the businesses here need, especially coming out of COVID.
"There needs to be more support from the town centre, not more roadworks," he said.
Others have voiced their opposition to the scheme's cost, arguing it doesn't represent good value for money for the taxpayer.
The government's Future High Streets Fund is contributing £25 million towards the project, with Swindon Council forking out £5 million of capital funding.
On Facebook, Martin Campbell called the development "yet another waste of money ... #killingthetowncentre".
'Better for the area and better for everyone'
Once the scheme is competed, Fleming Way will be closed to private motor traffic.
The area will instead have been revamped into a public transport hub, allowing all Swindon buses to utilise it as a stopping point.
The entire road will have been lowered, allowing easier access from the shopping centre of the town - without having to visit an uninviting underpass.
Julia Stoop, a young Swindon Mum, has relatively high hopes.
"I don’t have a car at the moment, and it’s hard to get around without one, so any way that they can make improvements to public transport is going to be worth it," she said.
Paul Morris, who hopped off his bicycle to speak to us in Swindon, is also upbeat: "That subway is horrible ... making this a better place for everyone who’s not in a car will be better for the area and better for everyone".
'We desperately need to get more people onto buses'
Amid the mixed reception, we have spoken from Councillor Gary Sumner, who's overseeing the development.
The Cabinet Member for Strategic Infrastructure, Transport and Planning has defended the boulevard, arguing that it will "transform" the Fleming Way area.
"It will make it a nicer cycling route, it will make bus services - I hope - more popular. We desperately need to get more people onto buses and out of cars.
"Greening the town centre I think is an important thing. You walk down Fleming Way, it's a pretty grim and depressing site with the metal barriers in the middle of the road.
"It doesn't feel like somewhere where people want you to cross the road, or to enjoy the street scene. The more trees and plants we get in our town centre, I think the happier the place will look," he added.
Works are expected to continue until Autumn 2024.