Whalebridge Junction to undergo improvements as part of Fleming Way upgrade

Over the next few months changes will be made to Whalebridge junction outside the Jury’s Inn hotel to enable traffic to turn both left and go straight ahead, towards Princes Street, on the approach from Corporation Street.

Currently, vehicles travelling south from Manchester Road towards Fleming Way can only turn left towards the mini roundabout near Halfords.

The initial changes to the road layout will be completed by this summer, while a second and larger phase of work will be completed towards the end of 2024, in line with the wider completion of the £33m 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.

Councillor Gary Sumner, Cabinet Member for Strategic Infrastructure, Transport and Planning, 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 Fleming Way improvement scheme will see a complete transformation of the current bus station and Fleming Way by moving all routes to the same location and making it a more welcoming gateway into Swindon’s town centre.

This 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

The improvement’s will create a better pedestrian experience and replace the ageing bus station which currently acts as a hub for national transport including to popular locations such as Oxford, London and Bristol.

To stay up to date with the latest on this project and Fleming Way, please sign up to the dedicated Fleming Way newsletter at www.swindon.gov.uk/newsletter