The Whalebridge Breaks the Surface

The entire top surface of the Whalebridge junction has been removed months after it was laid following the removal of the junction roundabout.

Why?

We've seen the traffic queues, the diverting of traffic round the court, the non-finishing off of grass verges, the inconsistent pedestrian crossing standards with lack of buttons and the piss-poor light phasing. Yet nothing has been done about this.

But now we see the tarmac surface and all road markings gone, why? Was it poorly laid?

Swindon Centric Says ; Get someone from Serco to re-phase the lights, scatter some grass seed in the muddy verges, put pelican crossings in all of the crossings points, not just some and until the regrading of Fleming Way starts, allow all traffic to turn west into Fleming Way from Whalebridge.

The entire population of 209,000 people will be entirely thankful.

The Regeneration Now Arriving... Is Currently At A Stand

The first part of the massive Union Square development for the Fleming Way/Corporation Street area is delayed whilst the plans are fine-tuned before being submitted.

Muse, the developer for the area are working on something called 'design development', altering the arrangement and appearance of the buildings of the scheme.

Swindon Centric Says ; So we wait til autumn and hold our breath.

Union Square Wants YOU For Comments

The consultation period for the Union Square development is underway and Friday and Saturday this week marks the public exhibition to see the plans and the project staff will be there to answer questions and collect feedback.

The exhibition will be at the Central Library in Regent Street on this Friday, the 4th, 2pm-8pm and Saturday, the 5th, 10am-2pm.

No doubt the biggest areas of interest will be...

- The Whalebridge roundabout removal and replacement with traffic lights. Will Fleming Way be accessible for buses from Princes Street & Corporation Street? How will it effect traffic flow along these two roads and along Fleming Way towards the Magic Roundabout?

- What will happen to the Octagon Restaurant? Easily the town centre's best greasy spoon after a night out!

- How tall will the buildings on the edge of the area be, especially along Corporation Street and Manchester Road? Will building design make an attempt to link the two areas and see those terraces are not overlooked?

Swindon Centric Says ; This is the chance to have your say, don't miss it!

PS - If you can't make the exhibition, you can submit your views here, the Union Square website is now live and has a wealth of information.

A Glimpse At Redevelopment Purgatory

Swindon Centric was loitering in town earlier and saw the gate to the former Thamesdown Transport depot on Corporation Street open and signs of activity with building supplies occupying some of the vast space.

I'd like to think that it's the beginning of the Union Square work, but it's probably being used as storage for work happening elsewhere, the repaving of Canal Walk perhaps? It's easy to forget how vast a space the Union Square development covers, the picture above shows how big just the old bus depot site is.

Swindon Centric Says ; I wonder if there are any tram rails left under the concrete, from when the site was the tram depot?