Building on “the legacy which Honda leaves behind” when the car manufacturer shuts its South Marston plant in two years time is central to the town’s new industrial strategy.

And it is that very departure which hastened the drawing up of the strategy.

Members of Swindon Borough Council’s ruling Conservative cabinet will be asked to endorse the policy to make Swindon a high technology engineering and digital hub at its meeting tonight – and call on council leader David Renard to have it agreed by the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

The key plank of the strategy is to keep the town at the forefront of technology.

The report reads: “The development of Swindon as an advanced engineering, digi-tech and research and development centre of excellence and attract new high-value activities, building on the reputation, skills expertise and the legacy which Honda leaves behind.”

Making it easier to get across town – specifically across the railway tracks which so define Swindon – is also a key point. The report, to be given by cabinet member for place and economy Oliver Donachie, says the strategy will “explore the creation of the railway corridor which will provide a landmark gateway to Swindon by developing the rail station and its environs – opening up the route to the North Star site, bringing new leisure and retail opportunities and easing the movement between the north and south of the railway.”

There will be “transformational programmes in infrastructure to improve movement and visitor experience across the whole town, making Swindon a more accessible and enjoyable place to be, attracting visitors, new residents and new levels of investment.”

In order to bring about these ambitious aims, the town’s educational status will have to be increased.

The report says the strategy should “raise the aspirations of young people and workers who have not engaged engage in education and address the status of Swindon as a particular higher education cold spot.”

Coun Renard said: “The government has been very keen that councils across the country and local enterprise partnerships come up with industrial strategies, and it felt that the announcement of Honda closing its plant meant Swindon needed to bring it forward earlier.

“There’s still a lot of work to do, but it absolutely makes sense to try and build on what we have already – the skilled workforce and the infrastructure and the support in terms of the rest of the economy for advanced manufacturing and high technology businesses.

“We are also making progress with education – the colleges offer further education and the Institute of Technology will offer level five, six and seven qualifications, and the Royal Agricultural University is coming. We need to make sure businesses have the skilled people they need here in Swindon.”