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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