THE £800,000 facelift given to Swindon town centre's 'front door' has been given the seal of approval by shoppers and commuters.

Although the finishing touches are still being applied at Wellington Street, people leaving Swindon railway station are now greeted by a gateway featuring a clean, chequerboard patterned pavement, a separate cycle lane and a new map.

The Adver took a look for itself yesterday and spoke to those using the once run-down area to head into town or the office.

Margaret Trojan, 71, is happy with the way the street looks.

She said: “Once they’ve cleaned it all up, I think it will look quite smart.

"It gives people a better view when you come out of the station to go into the town centre, which is a good idea.”

Edward Esther, who was walking into town with his wife, added: “It took a very long time, but it looks nice and has improved it a lot.”

As reported in the Adver on Tuesday, Swindon Borough Council leader David Renard is delighted with the authority's work on the street.

The scheme started back in January and work was expected to be completed in May. The council has spent more than £800,000 to clean up an area previously regarded as "a little scruffy".

It forms part of a much wider council project to revitalise Swindon's town centre and business district.

A £33 million 'bus boulevard' promises to transform Fleming Way and the underpass, while redeveloping Kimmerfields through new headquarters for Zurich is also in the pipeline.