Swindon Borough Council have today announced the contractor for the £33m Fleming Way Bus Boulevard scheme.
Colas, who delivered the Birmingham Airport runway extension as well as many other high-profile infrastructure projects, will begin work on a new bus interchange and gateway into the town centre later this year.
The new scheme will see Fleming Way completely transformed to accommodate all bus services in the town. It will include a new public open space on the north side with a green central spine to increase biodiversity.
With funding of £25m from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund the scheme is expected to stimulate further investment in the town centre along Fleming Way – and potentially Station Road, Fleet Street and Bridge Street – by increasing land values by as much as £34m and unlocking new residential development at the adjacent Kimmerfields site.
On top of a £3m contribution from Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP), the whole scheme has been made possible after the Council’s Cabinet also approved a contribution of £5m in capital funding to the project.
Councillor Gary Sumner, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Transport and Planning, said: “This scheme is so important for the town centre because it will help to unlock wider regeneration.
“In recent times, the low land values in this part of town have made it less attractive to investors and developers, so we are using government funding to improve the local area and make it a place they want to put in their money.
“We are effectively giving the rejuvenation of the town centre a kick-start, helping us bounce back strongly from the shift to online retail and the effects of the pandemic.
“I’m delighted we have appointed a proven contractor in Colas to deliver this scheme for us.”
Executive Director for Colas, Sean Jeffery said: “I am delighted that we have secured this exciting opportunity to work with Swindon Borough Council in delivering their vision for a greener more accessible solution in Swindon Town Centre. I am confident that the Colas team will deliver a great project.”
To find out more about the town centre and its projects, visit: www.swindon.gov.uk/towncentreregeneration
