Journeys for bus passengers across Swindon should be quicker now work on the Regent Circus bus corridor is finished.

That’s the hope of the borough council, which commissioned the work to create a continuous bus lane from the eastern end of Commercial Road through to Princes Street, recently completed.

Feedback from the town’s two major bus companies is, so far, positive.

Alex Chutter, general manager of Swindon’s Bus Company, said: “We’re pleased the Regent Circus improvement scheme - incorporating a new and improved bus gateway in Swindon - is now complete.

“This is good news as buses provide the perfect solution to the twin problems of traffic congestion and poor air quality.

“The local authority has worked hard to deliver these latest enhancements, and I expect them to be well received by those living and working in the town.”

Nick Small, of Stagecoach buses, said: “We are very pleased that both bus movements and passenger facilities have been significantly improved at Regent Circus.

“This is a good example of how relatively focused but carefully considered actions can have a substantial positive impact on the attractiveness and efficiency of bus services. The project arose from the opportunity identified by both major bus operators.

“We are keen to continue to work in partnership with the council to identify and secure further opportunities to make bus services a more attractive and convenient option for Swindon’s residents and visitors, as it is clearly not possible to create sufficient road space to accommodate all the potential demands for additional car use as the town develops as planned.”

The work in the centre of town forms part of what the council calls a “quality bus corridor” between Wichelstowe and the town centre via Old Town and Mannington.

Funding came from the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Growth Fund which includes £3 million for improving sustainable transport in the town.

Councillor Maureen Penny, the council’s cabinet member for highways and the environment, said: “Regent Circus is a busy part of the bus network with almost 40 buses an hour using the stops at peak times.

“The funding from SWLEP has enabled us to carry out improvements that will make a real difference to bus users in terms of both the environment and the reliability of services.

“The whole area looks fantastic and we have a modern, bright area of town that is in keeping with the regeneration we have seen in the local area over the last few years.”