BUILDING WILTSHIRE ’ S FUTURE
Building Swindon & Wiltshire ’ s future
With the arrival of Spring comes an air of positivity as we look to emerge from winter and lockdown in the spirit of growth and rebirth . It is hoped that several major infrastructure projects planned for Swindon and Wiltshire will boost the county ’ s economy , aiding recovery and helping to provide conditions for prosperity over the coming years . The Business Exchange has listed five of the most significant projects which could change the business and physical landscape of the region in the future .
A303 improvements at Stonehenge Project Cost : £ 1.7 billion
Highways England ’ s plans to upgrade the A303 at the notorious Stonehenge bottleneck were given the go-ahead in November 2020 . The upgraded road , which includes a two-mile tunnel underneath the Stonehenge World Heritage site , will largely follow the existing A303 route , but a further 50 metres away from the Stonehenge monument .
The project will tackle congestion on the single carriageway section of the A303 , helping to improve journey times and reliability between the M3 and M5 .
The project ’ s benefits are listed as : showcasing cultural heritage ; encouraging economic growth ( particularly around tourism ); creating a legacy for the community ; and environmental improvements ( particularly around movement of traffic ).
Swindon ’ s Cultural Quarter Project Cost : £ 77 million
There have been various plans over the years to create a different vibe around Swindon ’ s town centre and they have failed . Never before has a vision been more needed .
The plans have been published by Swindon Council as part of the latest phase of the Kimmerfields project . There will be a central plaza with a new theatre , art gallery and media and film production space .
Paddy Bradley , CEO of the Swindon and Wiltshire LEP , said , “ This project will generate skills , products and insights that will contribute to the social and economic wellbeing of Swindon ’ s business community and add vitality to the town centre which is important for our region .”
Future Chippenham Project Cost : £ 75 + million
With the aim of delivering a more sustainable Chippenham , a public consultation around a major new road route took place between January and March this year .
Wiltshire Council sought views on three options for a new distributor road to the south and east of Chippenham . The road will provide a link connecting the north east and southern parts of the town to the A350 as well as improvements to Junction 17 of the M4 .
It is believed this could bring significant benefits . It would free up land for housing development ( up to 7,500 homes including 40 per cent affordable ), reduce traffic congestion in the town centre and improve connectivity and travel within and around the town .
These benefits would help underpin the future sustainable growth of Chippenham and increase opportunities for residents and businesses . To support the development of the scheme , the council has been successful in securing £ 75 million of Government funding .
The preferred road route will be made public in the summer and a public consultation will also be launched on the wider masterplan . It is hoped a full planning application for the road , and an outline application for the rest of the plan , can be submitted by early 2022 .
2019
March
Housing Infrastructure Fund bid submission
Winter - Spring
Public consultation on road options
November
Housing Infrastructure Fund grant
£ 75m awarded
Summer
Preferred route announcement
2020
February - July
Road options assessment
January - Present
Environmental investigation and surveys and environmental design
2021 2022
Milestones
Summer - Winter
Preliminary design of preferred route option
Winter
Planning application submitted
2026
Winter - Autumn
Detailed design of the road
Road construction completed
Autumn 2022 - Winter 2025 / 26
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