VIEWS SOUGHT ON 100M TRANSPORT BID FOR SWINDON
A 100m bid for government money to improve transport links between north Swindon and the town centre will be made next year by the Council - which is now seeking the public's views on the options.
Swindon's increasing growth, particularly in the North, means that unless road transport links are improved they will hinder the town's economic development.
The options could include building a new route in the west, linking Thamesdown Drive to Great Western Way, and improving bottleneck junctions on Great Western Way such as the Bruce Street Bridges. In the west of the town, they could involve making Cricklade Road a dual carriageway along its entire length, or improving priority measures for buses, such as making new bus lanes.
Cllr Peter Greenhalgh, Swindon Borough Council cabinet member for planning, highways and transport, says: "We have secured money for transport improvements from developers building homes in the north of Swindon, but it won't be enough to do what's needed, which is why we need to make this bid to Government.
"I'm hopeful they will look on our bid favourably, especially as they have told us that we must provide the extra houses. We need to hear what people in Swindon think we should do, which will help us put the best possible bid in place."
Along with information on the council's website at
www.swindon.gov.uk/nsts which includes an online response form, there will be three roadshows to showcase the options, with council officers and experts from transport consultants Halcrow hand to answer residents' questions.
Cllr Justin Tomlinson, "Local residents have an opportunity to shape this essential bid. I am sure the session at the North Swindon library on Saturday 15th will be extremely busy."