We in Swindon are fortunate to be blessed with a rich and interesting heritage and, as a council, we take very seriously our duty to ensure it is preserved.

It was the 18th century philosopher Edmund Burke who declared society a contract between the dead, the living and those yet to be born. If, Burke said, we inherit something good, we have a moral obligation to ensure it survives for future generations. This principle applies to our local communities as much as it does our great structures of State. One way of keeping alive our town’s history for our children and grandchildren is by eliciting the help of others.

That is why next week we will be applying to Historic England for permission to create a Heritage Action Zone at the Railway Village. A Heritage Action Zone is an innovative way of unlocking the potential of a particular historic site and aims to manage development in a way that enhances the heritage assets that make the area special, while helping to deliver economic growth.

The good news is that the area encompassing the Outlet Centre and Railway Village has been chosen by the council and its partners as a suitable candidate for such a designation. This really is a fantastic opportunity to enhance one of our most treasured heritage sites with the support of a host of the council’s partners including Swindon Civic Voice, the Mechanics Institution Trust and the National Trust.

If our bid is successful, we can hope to access funding and expertise from Historic England to increase our knowledge and understanding of Swindon’s history. We will see improvements made to the community assets including the GWR Park, the Community Centre and the Health Hydro and acquire additional support for securing a viable future for under-used and vacant listed buildings. We have a great opportunity to launch a campaign to promote the site as a tourist destination.

At the heart of this bid lies a brilliant opportunity for the council to work closely with the town’s heritage community. We know how important these issues are to local people and we hope to be considered friends and partners in our efforts to preserve Swindon’s past.

The former GWR works and Railway Village represent the pinnacle of Victorian engineering. They are international symbols of some of man’s most impressive achievements and, with the assistance of Historic England, we can ensure these treasures are preserved for years to come.

It is also worth noting that, earlier this week, the Steam Museum welcomed home the GWR Class 2800 No. 2818 locomotive, which was built in 1905. It was used to transport coal for the Royal Navy during the First World War. It was moved from the National Railway Museum in York and is now taking up residence at Steam. That this 113-year-old engine has returned home is a fitting tribute to the enduring legacy of our town’s illustrious past and promising future.