Swindon offices from The Age of the Train to be refurbished

Plans for the refurbishment of the unoccupied 13-storey office building above Swindon railway station have been submitted to Swindon Borough Council.

Signal Point, which was erected in the 1970s, still bears the old British Rail logo. The logo is nowadays considered a design icon, and the developers plan to retain the feature.

New proposals include repairs to the external façade including the partial replacement of cladding, replacement of windows, and provision of new reception area and a replacement canopy.

With electrification of the railway line coming to Swindon this autumn – reducing travel time from London Paddington to 50 minutes – developers believe a smart office building will offer a premium location for businesses.

The plans have been lodged by DPDS Consulting Group on behalf of Narbeth Management Ltd, the leaseholders of Signal Point. Network Rail Properties own the freehold.

DPDS managing director Les Durrant said: “The proposed refurbishment will make significant improvements to the appearance of Signal Point and its modernisation will help to encourage business activity within the building and to the Swindon Station Arrival Quarter.

“It is hoped that this planning application will be received positively and be seen as good news for the town.”