Page 8 - link magazine

Hope that West Swindon relief road will be built
After years of inactivity by Swindon Council, there is movement to come up with a fully costed case for constructing the extension of Thamesdown
Drive to Great Western Way via Barnfield Road.
Swindon’s two MPs Robert Buck- road, said: “The Chancellor got it im-
land and Justin Tomlinson took the mediately; he recognises the success of
opportunity to outline the project to our town must not be constrained by
Chancellor of the Exchequer George an inadequate road network
Osborne when he visited the town “For several years the council was
on 12 July, with Cllr Keith Williams, far too vague about getting Thames-
Swindon cabinet member for high- down Drive built, it didn’t seem to
ways strategic transport and leisure, be a priority. But there is now a plan
setting out the detail of why building being developed which will give us a
the road was necessary. clear framework to drive this project
He explained how Swindon will forward into the next funding review.
have expanded by another 15,000 “There’s a long way to go but I’m
houses by 2026 and how Mead Way optimistic that we can secure a major
was already under considerable pres- infrastructure investment to the west
sure, before 1,700 houses are built of Swindon.”
at Tadpole Farm and another 700 at Keith said design options for a
Ridgeway Farm outside Swindon’s single or dual carriageway extension
western border. Examining the Thamesdown Drive plan, from left, Robert Buckland, Justin will be ready in October. £2 million
He also pointed out that the Tomlinson, George Osborne will be required to prepare detailed
Cheney Manor industrial estate for this kind of smart investment. the major contract to supply the Min- plans. The 1.3 mile road, first pro-
requires redevelopment but has in- “The town has two strong MPs in istry of Defence with 7,400 trucks. posed in 1997, plus access from
adequate vehicle access. Robert and Justin who have spoken Afterwards Justin said: “Robert Cheney Manor, is estimated to cost
The Chancellor said: “I can’t make powerfully about the need for this and I have been lobbying in Parlia- up to £100 million.
a commitment at this point, but hear- road.” ment with Keith Williams for the • Photos of MAN trucks tour at www.
ing that Swindon does not have a ring The Chancellor was in town look- Thamesdown Drive extension. It will bit.ly/OsborneatMAN
road and that the town’s economic ing at Network Rail’s dualling of the both benefit residents and unlock Swindon to Kemble line closed
prospects could be held back without Swindon to Kemble line and meeting Swindon’s economic development.” from 9 August to 9 September
the right infrastructure in place sug- some of the 130 apprentices at MAN Robert Buckland, who has been for track dualling.
gests there is a good case to be made Trucks at Blagrove. He also discussed taking the lead on lobbying for the See www.bit.ly/SKdualrail
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