Swindon’s town centre is about to turn a corner, with the long‑awaited Fleming Way gateway set to open at the end of next month.
The £33 million scheme – funded through the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Swindon Borough Council – has already sparked confidence in nearby areas. Now, with the final touches being completed, residents and visitors alike are preparing to see the benefits first‑hand.
At its heart is a brand‑new bus interchange to replace the tired old station off Manchester Road. It will offer wider shelters with improved access for wheelchair users, wireless charging points, digital departure screens and solar panels. Around 181 trees and more than 23,000 plants are being added, transforming the surrounding streets into a greener, more welcoming space.
Cyclists will also notice a difference. New lanes now link up key routes, making it easier and safer to travel across the town centre by bike. And with all services moving to Fleming Way, the old bus station is set to be demolished, clearing the way for future improvements.
Councillor Jim Robbins, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said the project marks the start of something bigger: “This is just the first step in improving the town centre. We’ve already seen major firms like Zurich and FI Real Estate Management showing confidence in Swindon, and this gateway will create a far better first impression for visitors and those working here.”
South Swindon MP Heidi Alexander echoed that view: “The opening of Fleming Way is a significant milestone. It links our railway station to the heart of the town and shows that investment is coming in, creating a centre we can all be proud of.”
Contractors are now carrying out the last snagging works. Fencing will start to come down from Friday, 15 August, with buses due to begin operating from Fleming Way on Sunday, 31 August. For those who have been watching the works from behind barriers, it will soon be time to see the new hub in action.
