AN ambitious plan to transform Swindon's business district has been given a £25m shot in the arm.

The council received a late Christmas present with news it has been backed by the government's Future High Streets Fund in its bid to create a 'bus boulevard'.

It would create a gateway to the town centre, with Fleming Way closed to all motor vehicles apart from buses – with every one serving Swindon passing through it to make public transport easier.

The road will also be lowered, removing the underpass for pedestrians coming from The Parade, and it would complete the link between the Eastern and Western Flyer cycle routes.

Work is set to start next year and last around 18 months.

Swindon Borough Council leader David Renard said the decision was a huge "vote of confidence in Swindon".

He added: “We are delighted the government has approved our £25m bid.

“This will deliver a huge step change in its redevelopment alongside the Zurich building and other schemes.

"The new bus interchange and other improvements will commence mid 2021 with the project to be completed by the end of 2022.

"This will be a catalyst which will enable further significant private and public investment to transform our town and draw more people in to live, work or visit it.”

Cabinet member for the town centre Dale Heenan added: “Finally, a bit of Christmas cheer for Swindon.

“The importance of this decision should not be underestimated for our town. The new bus station will address the design issues of the past where Fleming Way created a barrier between the town centre’s retail and business districts. When finished, this work will help to create a place where people want to live, and where businesses want to invest."

Work has already started on the new Zurich headquarters at the adjacent Kimmerfields.

“One of the reasons Zurich chose to commit its long-term future to our town, and potential expansion, was because of our plans for the wider area, and this £25m is key to making it happen," said Coun Heenan.

“More than 20 new shops have opened in the town centre in the last six months and, now we have this money agreed by the government, we can push forward in 2021 with momentum and without the usual doom and gloom.

We now need a positive decision on our multi-million-pound Towns Fund bid during January to ensure that a big part of our 10-year improvement plan for our town centre can be delivered.”

Over the next 12 months, a temporary bus station will be created within the Kimmerfields site and the John Street multi-storey car park off Fleming Way will be demolished as part of the wider overall plans.

Of the £138m awarded to 11 towns and cities in the south west, Swindon has the highest amount. Salisbury will receive £9.3m and Trowbridge £16.3m, while Plymouth gets £12m and Taunton £13.9m.

The town's two Conservative MPs Robert Buckland and Justin Tomlinson said in a joint statement: “We are both delighted that after spending many months championing Swindon’s cause alongside the Conservative-led borough council who helped prepare this bid, Swindon has been awarded £25million – the highest amount to be awarded in the country.

“Our high streets are a key part of our local communities and local economies. They create jobs, boost the local economy and help small businesses thrive.

“We recognise that changing consumer behaviour and the rise of online shopping presents a significant challenge to our town centre and we are glad that the Conservative government is taking action to help it evolve.

“This money will be used to modernise our town centre, ensuring that it is fit for the future. This will include a much-needed improved public transport hub and improved cycle and pedestrian routes.”

Making the announcement, housing communities and local government secretary Robert Jenrick said: “Swindon will receive the full funding bid for in recognition of the forward-thinking and innovative proposals developed to modernise its town centre, including a new public transport hub and improved cycle and pedestrian routes.

“From improving transport and access into the town centre to converting retail units into new homes, these plans will deliver long-term impacts that drive growth, raise living standards and ultimately help level up the regions.”

Minister for high streets Kelly Tolhurst added: “I’m proud that the Future High Street Fund is set to support areas in the south west transform their high streets, helping them to become the beating heart of communities and deliver jobs and opportunity for local people.

“Swindon will lead the way, using its £25 million investment to modernise its town centre, delivering jobs and opportunities for local people.”

Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership has contributed £3m to progress the design of the scheme together with the necessary site investigations and utility diversions. The borough council’s cabinet has also approved a contribution of £5m in capital funding to the project.