SWINDON Town Supporters’ Trust broke the ground of their bid to put a roof on the Stratton Bank this week.

The diggers were called in as TrustSTFC began the invasive survey at the County Ground to determine soil conditions under the Bank.

The dig marked the first step in TrustSTFC's stated intention to see a Roof over the 2,250 seats in the stand.

Beard Construction and subcontractors Southern Ground Testing were on site on Wednesday morning with drilling machinery to begin the task of finding out what the Bank is made of. This in turn will determine what groundworks are required to anchor the stanchions for a new stand roof.

The Trust will then be able to add this sum together with those for the steel provision and erection, and the costs of new toilets, lighting, and public announcement systems.

From this the final cost of the new stand roof can be accurately defined. It is thought this will be in the region of £500,000.

Mike Welsh, vice chair of the Trust, hopes to begin formal discussions on construction once the survey has been completed.

“The Trust then intend to begin discussions with all interested parties including the club, council, Trust members, and local residents prior to putting in a planning application,” he said.

“The £500,000 is a general figure and it wouldn’t change hugely, but we want to get an accurate number to go to funders with.

“That cost for 2,250 seat is a very cost effective approach and it’s very positive, the Trust is in it for the long term, but we’re moving on this now.

“There has been a successful application in 1994 for a new stand on Stratton Bank much higher and far more expensive, at £2 million, than the current proposals.”

The Trust board have also approved a topographical survey which will look at the levels of the Bank and allow architects to move ahead with producing plans.

That survey will begin in just over a week and should finish by the end of the month, allowing progress in the planning and consultation phase of the development.

“These surveys are necessary for preparation for a planning application, designing the stands and working with contractors to be able to produce a plan which can be consulted with a large range of people.

“The next stage will be us going out to funders. We have already received donations from supporters to undertake these surveys, so fans have already come forward with that.

“The ball is now rolling, but I wouldn’t want to put any particular time frame on it. I think things are moving well, but the whole thing will be dependent on getting it funded.”

The Swindon Advertiser approached Swindon Town for a comment but they declined to give one.