THE Government has announced Swindon is to get millions of pounds in extra funding which will be used to help relocate the bus station to Fleming Way.

It has been announced that Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership will receive an extra £11.5 million between 2016 and 2021 as part of the Growth Deal, on top of the £130 million already allocated.

The Swindon portion of the money will be put towards the second phase of Kimmerfield development, which will see a new bus interchange built on Fleming Way.

Council leader David Renard (Con, Haydon Wick) has welcomed the decision, which he has called a vote of confidence in the Kimmerfield Plan.

He said: “The announcement of the funding to enable the building of the new Bus Exchange is very welcome and a great indication of support for the regeneration of the Town Centre in Swindon.

“We have a strong partnership in place to deliver this project which will provide a tremendous gateway into the centre of the town. It will benefit the residents of Swindon and the wider area and, crucially support the development of Kimmerfields, the new professional and business heart of the borough.”

Phase one of the development has seen the new car park and sheltered accommodation built. As well as the bus station, Fleming Way will be levelled out and closed off to traffic as part of the second phase.

The final part of the project will see offices and shops built on the site of the walk-in centre on Carfax Street, which is soon to be moved over the road to complete the first phase.

The rest of the allocated money will be spent on other projects in Corsham and Trowbridge.

Jane Scott, leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “This is great news for Wiltshire, the funding provides further support to develop key transport infrastructure across the county, which in turn will create new jobs and deliver much needed housing.

“In particular it also recognises the unique opportunity that Corsham provides to our county's future economy.

“Wiltshire Council fully backs this initiative and we are committing £1.5m of our own resources and assets towards this project.”

Announcing the deal, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Giving local communities the power and the money to unlock growth and development and make the spending decisions that work for them is a key part of our long-term economic plan to secure a brighter future for Britain and ensure a recovery for all.

“And this is happening right here in Swindon and across Wiltshire, with more money announced today for key projects to boost the local economy as part of the multi-million pound expansion of the Government’s Growth Deals.”