Ribbon cut on new £33m transport hub

The ribbon has been cut as the fencing starts to be removed at Fleming Way

The ribbon has been cut on a £33m transformation of a transport hub, which closed a major junction for three-and-a-half years.

It is expected that buses will run from Fleming Way in Swindon from 31 August, a year later than hoped, and pedestrians will be able to use the area as soon as fencing is removed.

Swindon Borough Council hopes the hub will be the first step in regenerating the much-criticised town centre.

The changes have been designed to create a better space for buses, cycling and walking, with the old bus station being demolished.

Large, more accessible bus shelters with digital screens are part of the improvements

The hub was opened by Swindon South MP Heidi Alexander, Swindon's mayor, Fay Howard and cabinet member for transport, Chris Watts.

There are new bus shelters with better accessibility, wireless charging, digital screens and solar panels. Lots of greenery has been planted too - more than 181 trees, and 23,000 plants and bushes.

New cycle lanes also connect the town's two main cycle routes.

The money came from the government's Future High Streets Fund, the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership's Local Growth Fund and Swindon Borough Council.

Fleming Way has had delays, but the council said it is the first step in more town centre improvements

Ms Alexander, MP for Swindon South, said: "As a born-and-bred Swindon girl, nothing gives me more pride than opening brand-new public transport infrastructure in the heart of our town."

Mr Watts said it was a "hugely complex and challenging scheme to deliver" but thanked those who worked on it.

He said as well as removing the "run-down" bus station, the council would now like to build a new entertainment venue next to Fleming Way.

Stagecoach West said it will operate almost 1,000 journeys a week from the new hub.

"The new interchange at Fleming Way will provide customers with state-of-the-art journey planning, which will be transformational for them," Chris Hanson from the company said.

Ben Murray, managing director of Swindon's Bus Company, said: "This is a spectacular transformation. The location promises to be one of the region's major transport hubs, and we are excited to be operating our services here."

Bus company bosses have praised the new transport hub

The council said the improvements could boost the local economy by £28m over the next 20 years.

It said it has already attracted private investment to the area, including FI Real Estate Management spending £8.5m on its offices there.

Zurich also said the changes encouraged it to keep its headquarters in the town.