• Swindon & Wiltshire Property
• Wednesday December 18 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Bus companies gear up for Swindon’s new bus interchange

Swindon’s main bus companies have welcomed plans to replace the town’s dilapidated bus station.

Work to transform Fleming Way into a new bus interchange with an improved public realm and a green corridor is entering its final stages, which will be a far cry from the facilities at Swindon’s 1960s bus station.

With new solar-powered bus shelters, featuring electronic screens and wireless phone charging, as well as new toilet facilities, currently being built for passengers, both Stagecoach West and Swindon’s Bus Company, are looking forward to the completion of the project next year.

The toilet facilities, which will be a huge improvement on those at the current bus station, will also feature a Changing Places toilet to make sure that every resident in Swindon can use them when travelling.

With bus services moving to Fleming Way, users will also enjoy a vastly improved public realm, with more than 173 trees and 23,000 plants and bushes being planted.

This will enhance the surrounding environment, supporting local wildlife and, with some of the trees and bushes also being planted in The Parade and other public spaces, make the walk between the town centre and bus and train stations a lot more pleasant.

Karen Coventry, commercial director at Stagecoach West, said: “We are thrilled to see the progress being made on the exciting Fleming Way redevelopment project.

“This transformation will significantly enhance the travel experience for our customers in Swindon, providing them with a modern, efficient, and accessible bus interchange.”

Andrew Wickham, managing director at Swindon’s Bus Company, added: “The interchange is set to be a complete transformation of Fleming Way and will see a vast improvement of facilities and access to the town centre for our customers.

“This is a significant investment by Swindon Borough Council and hopefully the start of greater things for the town centre. We have been fully consulted and contributed to the design, and welcome any measures that make bus travel an even more attractive proposition – taking cars off our roads.

“This will give us a wonderful opportunity to reduce congestion across the town – and embrace a cleaner environment for many years to come.”

Councillor Chris Watts, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “The new bus interchange at Fleming Way will be a massive improvement on the current bus station which does not provide a welcoming environment for passengers.

“The new facilities will make Fleming Way a modern public transport hub and a gateway into the town centre, which will see significant regeneration in the years to come.

“There’s still work to be done, but I’m looking forward to seeing the new bus interchange and cycling facilities open next year.”