Campaigners encouraged to arrive in plenty of time ahead of Honda march
People taking part in this Saturday’s Unite-organised Honda march and rally in Swindon town centre are being advised not to arrive at the last minute.
Published: Wednesday, 27th March 2019
The ‘Save Honda Swindon’ event is expected to attract thousands of people to the town, but arrangements have been put in place to ensure it passes safely and peacefully.
The march is set to get underway at 11.30am from the County Ground car park and, in order to create a safe environment for those taking part, County Road will be shut to traffic from 9am.
The County Ground car park itself will not be open to vehicles to allow people to congregate at the start of the march.
Anyone driving into Swindon from Queens Drive or Drakes Way to take part in the show of support, is advised to leave the Magic Roundabout at the Fleming Way exit and follow signs to the Spring Gardens (SN1 2BF), Princes Street and Wyvern (SN1 2SD), Whalebridge (SN1 1TN) or Fleming Way (SN1 2HG) town centre car parks. The County Ground is just a few minutes’ walk away.
Those travelling towards the County Ground from Great Western Way should turn right into Manchester Road and left into Corporation Street to join up with Fleming Way and the signposted car parks.
Due to the road closures, local people planning to take part in the march are encouraged to use bus services where possible.
The march is scheduled to leave the County Ground car park at 11.30am and will conclude with a rally around 90 minutes later in Faringdon Road park. The rally will also feature music, key speakers, children’s entertainment and food stalls.
To ensure the safety of all those taking part, Swindon Borough Council will create a pedestrian walkway across the Magic Roundabout and a number of roads will be closed to all traffic from 11.15am to allow the march safe passage to Faringdon Road park. These include: Fleming Way, Princes Street, Commercial Road, Milton Road and Faringdon Road.
A rolling road block will be in operation so that roads can be reopened as soon as the march has safely passed through.
Officers from Wiltshire Police will be in attendance on the day and marshals will also be on hand along the route.
Local businesses likely to be affected by the event have been notified of the disruption as have Swindon’s bus companies. Advanced warning signs will also be placed on the road network over the coming days.