Road works and changes seem to be constant in Swindon - with improvements being made to the town centre as well as housing developments popping up all over.
If the applications currently going through the planning system go through, the town is set to look drastically different within the next few years - but what about what has changed over the last decade?
The Adver has taken a look back at what Swindon used to look like and what it looks like now. Here are some of the most iconic parts of the town and a comparison of the different areas.
All photos are credit of Google Maps.
The Oasis Leisure Centre
July 2014 vs October 2021
Oh, the Oasis! Where do we start? The beloved water attraction closed in 2020 and the battle for it to be reopened has been ongoing ever since with the action group, Save Oasis Swindon fighting for its reopening.
A stark contrast compared with seven years prior, the most recent shot from Google's Street View in 2021 shows the dilapidated state of the iconic centre.
Building developers, SevenCapital recently u-turned on the decision for the wave machine to be included in the refurbishment.
Fleming Way
September 2012 vs September 2023
One of the most essential roads to the people of Swindon has changed multiple times and is currently undergoing another drastic change. Fleming Way was demolished earlier this year and will change the way in which the public can access the coach station from the town centre.
The Regent Circus
July 2009 vs August 2023
The Regent Circus has been on a rollercoaster with work for the site starting in 2012. Now 13 years later, it has been through many different establishments with one of its major tenants, Morrisons, closing in 2019.
These photos show it turning from the old Swindon College site to what it is today.
In fact, in the older photo from 2009, an advertisement for the new development can be seen, promising an "exciting mixed use development coming soon".
Magic Roundabout
June 2009 vs August 2023
What is the most famous thing in Swindon? Oh yes, it is a roundabout which actually isn't just a roundabout, it is five roundabouts. The iconic landmark surprisingly has witnessed very little change and the photos look pretty similar.
Wichelstowe
August 2009 vs June 2023
This area of Swindon is about to turn 15 years old with the photo on the left being taken only a year after the development started.
Since that time, the most obvious change is the addition of a Waitrose supermarket on what was previously an empty field.
Manchester Road
June 2009 vs August 2023
Manchester Road is home to a variety of shops and businesses. These two pictures shows just one of the many changes along the road.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel