Major route opens amid £33m revamp

A road in Swindon town centre has reopened to pedestrians

A key route has reopened to pedestrians and cyclists as part of ongoing works to transform a town centre into a green "bus boulevard".

The Whalebridge end of Fleming Way in Swindon can now be used by walkers, and the overall project is on target to finish later this summer.

Pedestrians faced long diversions and drivers have suffered traffic disruption since September 2022, when Fleming Way closed for works to connect the bus and train station to the town centre.

The project faced delays when it was discovered telecommunication cables were not buried deep enough for the new designs.

New trees were planted to support local wildlife

Cyclists will have dedicated lanes alongside the bus lanes which will be controlled by traffic lights, allowing pedestrians to cross safely.

There will also be new greenery to support local wildlife, and make the walk between the town centre and bus and train stations "a lot more pleasant", according to the council.

Councillor Chris Watts, the council's cabinet member for environment and transport, previously said: "Those visiting the town centre are sure to notice how different the road now looks when compared to earlier in the scheme."

More than 180 trees and 23,000 shrubs and bushes have also been planted creating a bus boulevard, he added.