A NEW ‘bus boulevard’ in Fleming Way will see cars and lorries banned from the town centre route.


The scheme will see the creation of 12 new bus shelters with 31 stops and three buildings demolished. 


And the pedestrian subway that runs under the major road will be removed in order to lower the entire street to allow a flat pedestrian crossing, 
These ambitious proposals are included in a new planning application submitted by contractor Atkins to planning and highways officers at Swindon Borough Council.
Atkins is acting on behalf of the council itself, which wants to turn Fleming Way into a major bus lane and interchange.


While it has not yet put in a detailed planning application, the council has requested an early opinion from planning officers on both its Fleming Way proposals and  a scheme to construct a temporary bus station at the car park  at Gordon Road between the magistrates’ court and the Wyvern Theatre.


This means the council is asking whether it needs to make a full environmental impact report into its proposals which would be included when a full planning application is lodged.
The bus boulevard will run from the junction with Whalebridge to the junction with Holbrook Street.  At the Holbrook Way end of the route there will be a turning loop for coaches and taxis.


The submission says of the plan to demolish three buildings and the underpass: “This is required for the lowering of Fleming Way to construct a pedestrian crossing, replacing the underpass.
“Landscaping will improve and widen the current tree and vegetation belt in the middle of Fleming Way.


“These works will seek to improve local traffic conditions following the closure of Fleming Way to all traffic except buses, taxis and cyclists.”
It adds that the entire project is expected to take two and a half to three years to complete
As part of the work, the council wants to construct a temporary bus station in the Gordon Road car park, to accommodate the bus stops that will be closed during work on Fleming Way.
The application for a screening opinion says it will ‘create an efficient and functional bus station with low maintenance facilities’ and that a consideration ‘of the accessibility and safety for all user, including at night’ is central.


Plans show there will be eight spaces for buses in the station itself with three bus stops placed on Princes Street and two on Islington Street.
As converting the car park into a bus station will remove car parking spaces from the town centre, more spaces have been created at the Wyvern car park.