Public react to plan for return of Swindon speedway

Steve Park, Terry Russell and Clarke Osborne are all involved in the plans

There has been a mixed reaction to plans for a new speedway stadium in Swindon after being put to the public at an in-person event.

Speedway at the town's Abbey Stadium stopped in 2020, but a new facility next to J16 of the M4 is being proposed.

One fan liked the plan, saying "we've got the chance to make new memories" while a resident living near the planned site said a stadium there "would be really quite chaotic".

Those behind the venture are confident it is the best way to reestablish the sport in the town and have secured a 99-year lease on the site near Studley Grange Garden Centre.

The Swindon Robins have been unable to compete at their previous home since the 2019 season due to the pandemic and financial issues.

The stadium is still used for greyhound racing, but motorsport had previously been limited to 20 days a year, with noise restrictions due to residential areas around it.

The speedway plans are for the Studley Grange area next to J16 of the M4

Fan Marie Matthews sees the new scheme - the Studley Grange Motorsports Hub - as a "chance to make new memories and get more people - new people - involved".

She said the plans look good and while she got her love for speedway at the Abbey Stadium, it is not "feasible" to use that anymore.

'Going to be chaotic'

The new site is made up of farmland and an old landfill but does have a few homes nearby.

Ray Woodhouse is one of the residents and said: "I do believe Swindon needs speedway. All I'm saying is I'm concerned where they're putting it."

Mr Woodhouse explained there are traffic concerns, with more housing planned for Wroughton and Royal Wootton Bassett.

"It's going to be really quite chaotic" he said, adding that the land can get waterlogged too.

He also mentioned the nearby crematorium, feeling the noise would be unfair to those visiting.

The in-person event was in a hall in Royal Wootton Bassett

'My promise'

Swindon Speedway owner Terry Russell explained that the plans include car parking, an acoustic barrier to lessen noise, a speedway track, a karting track, areas for refreshment and business units.

Mr Russell said that if the application goes through, he could see racing starting in 2026.

"My promise was I would deliver speedway to Swindon and I intend to keep that word," he said.

Speedway director Steve Park said he wants to see the community involved: "It becomes their stadium rather than a stadium."

He explained they are looking for private investment and the 99-year lease will help with that.

"The goal would be to bring premiership racing back to Swindon. We didn't want to be the people that ended speedway in Swindon," he said.

Clarke Osborne runs Swindon Motorsports - he sees this as the "only option" for speedway in Swindon.

"There's no way the Abbey Stadium could have it [speedway] back again. You can't operate more than 20 times in a year - it's unviable" he explained.