A BUSY junction in the town centre will be changed to improve traffic flow as part of the £33m Fleming Way transformation plans.
The layout of the turning on the Whalebridge junction outside the Jurys Inn hotel will allow vehicles to turn left and go straight ahead towards Princes Street, on the approach from Corporation Street.
At the moment, traffic heading south from Manchester Road towards Fleming Way can only turn left towards the mini roundabout near Halfords.
Roadworks will be carried out during the summer to make the initial changes to the junction before a larger phase of work aims to be finished by towards the end of 2024, in line with the wider completion of the Fleming Way improvements.
This work will include widening the western end of Corporation Street into the Kimmerfields site, introducing new cycle lane facilities that link Fleming Way to the Eastern Flyer route, and building access roads into the new Kimmerfields development.
Coun Gary Sumner is cabinet member for strategic infrastructure, transport and planning.
He said: “The improvements to Fleming Way will transform this part of the town centre, making Swindon more attractive to outside investors and unlocking development at the adjacent Kimmerfields site next to the new Zurich offices.
“As part of that work, we need to improve the access into Kimmerfields from Corporation Street but rather than stop there, we’re taking the opportunity to make it easier for motorists when they get to the Whalebridge junction by allowing them to go straight ahead.
“This was something I was very keen to address as the current left turn causes huge frustration for motorists when they have to go round the mini roundabout and double back on themselves.
"We need to make it as easy as possible for vehicles to drive around Fleming Way when it is closed to through traffic from September.”
The improvement scheme will see a complete transformation of the current bus station and Fleming Way by moving all routes to the same location in a bid to make it a more welcoming gateway into Swindon’s town centre.
It is hoped this revamp is will stimulate further investment in the town centre by increasing land values and making it more attractive for investors to bring forward retail, residential, office-based or leisure facilities.
To stay up to date with the latest on this project, sign up to the Fleming Way newsletter at www.swindon.gov.uk/newsletter.
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