Swindon Borough Council

Ahead of bus services starting from Fleming Way this Sunday (31 August), Swindon’s two bus companies have been training on the road. 🚌 Stagecoach and Swindon's Bus Company have more than 350 drivers who need training on the new interchange. One of those drivers, who will be using the road and has been helping train the other drivers, is Mark Waldron. Mark has been driving for Stagecoach in Swindon for nine years and believes the new interchange will only be a positive for the town. He said: “It’s such a big improvement over the old Fleming Way, visually and practically. It’s a lot nicer place to be, with a lot nicer surroundings and a lot more straightforward. “As a driver, we can also be a lot more spatially aware of our surroundings [compared to the cramped bus station]. “It’ll be far easier to board and alight people, especially those in wheelchairs or other disabilities. The old bus station wasn’t really user friendly and it was very old.”

A closer look at Fleming Way 🔍📷🚌 As part of the improvements to Fleming Way, seven CCTV cameras have been installed to make the area safer for bus users, visitors and local people. The new cameras will be monitored by the Council’s security team who have a direct line to Wiltshire Police should there be any issues. While these cameras will act as a deterrent against anti-social behaviour, we still need your help. If you see anything out of place, including damage or graffiti, please report it to us or Wiltshire Police on 101. Additionally, new bins have also been installed as part of the scheme. This means there’s no excuse for litter in the area and we encourage everyone to bin their waste rather than littering. And if you’re unable to bin your waste, please take it home with you.

Huge congratulations to all the amazing Year 11 students across Swindon who received their GCSE results today 🎓✨ From inspiring personal journeys at Kingsdown School, like Tegen’s path to becoming a future PE teacher, to record-breaking achievements at The Deanery and top results at St Joseph’s, your hard work, resilience and determination have truly paid off. Pictured is Cllr Adorabelle Amaral Shaikh, Cabinet Member for Education, out meeting students, staff and proud families. Here’s to your next exciting chapter 👏

As you can see from the picture, one of the biggest brownfield developments in the UK is rapidly progressing in the shadow of the A419, led by Panattoni. When complete, the 7.2m sq ft Panattoni Park site in South Marston, close to Junction 15 of the M4, will feature best-in-class buildings for logistics, manufacturing and data centre uses. Ninety-eight per cent of construction waste from the former-Honda factory site has been recycled with 5,000 tonnes of steel re-used in the secondary or recycling steel market. #BetterSwindon

From coffee beans to brighter futures, and now, national recognition ☕ We’re celebrating Solid Ground Coffee, the youth-led mobile café run in partnership between SMASH Youth Project and our Youth Justice Service, for being named finalists for Best Partnership with Youth Justice Service at the Children and Young People Now Awards 2025. Solid Ground Coffee is not just a coffee van. It’s a place where young people supported by our Youth Justice Service learn real work skills, gain confidence and plan for the future, all while serving top-quality drinks in the heart of Swindon. One young person who works on the van shared: “Since starting at the van, I feel I have more hope and I am starting to learn how to budget and plan better with the money I earn. I am grateful for the training opportunities.” With support from SMASH Youth Project, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, local businesses and our dedicated Council teams, Solid Ground Coffee is proving that a simple cup of coffee can change lives. Find them every Wednesday & Thursday, 10am until 2pm, next to Clarence House, Euclid Street.

Earlier today (15 Aug), dignitaries, councillors, representatives from bus operators and local businesses were given a tour of Fleming Way before buses begin to use the new road in two weeks’ time. After observing the two-minute silence to mark VJ Day, those in attendance boarded a bus to experience the new road layout before Swindon Mayor, Councillor Fay Howard, cut a ribbon to unveil the road, accompanied by Heidi Alexander, Swindon South MP, and Councillor Chris Watts, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Transport. Buses will begin using the site from Sunday, 31 August to allow the finishing touches to be made to the scheme and for bus drivers to get used to the road. Once open, the bus station located off Manchester Road, will be closed and demolished.

You did it! Congratulations to all students who received #ALevel and #TLevel results today. 🎉👏 Students across Swindon are celebrating today as this year’s A-Level and T-Level results show another strong performance across the Borough. Read more about this year's results - https://lnkd.in/ewqArsRX

Representatives from Swindon’s arts and cultural community gathered at the County Ground this morning to celebrate the start of an exciting £1.3m two-year programme. A new non-for-profit organisation, Swindon Culture Collective CIC, has been established to lead the programme and support the network of arts and cultural organisations previously known as the Magic Swindon Network. Those attending this morning’s meeting were told that Arts Council England’s National Lottery Place Partnership Fund has today committed £600,000 to the programme, which will establish Swindon as a festival town, unlock new opportunities and spaces for arts and culture, and map out progression pathways for people keen to develop their own creativity. You can read more about this exciting announcement on the Council’s website - https://ow.ly/mlt550WEGI4

Finalist in the Social Worker of the Year Awards 2025! 🎉 Alison James, one of the Council’s Social Workers has been named a national finalist in the prestigious Social Worker of the Year Awards 2025. Alison has been shortlisted in the Mental Health Social Worker of the Year category, recognising her outstanding practice, compassion, and unwavering commitment to improving lives. Reflecting on her nomination, Alison said: “I was extremely surprised but thrilled to find out about being nominated for Mental Health Social Worker of the Year – let alone being selected as a national finalist! I couldn’t do the work I do without the support of my fantastic team.” These awards shine a light on the vital, challenging, and deeply rewarding work social workers do every day. Finalists were chosen by a panel of independent judges, including past winners, sector leaders, and people with lived experience of social work. Winners will be announced at a special ceremony on 17 October at The Midland Hotel, Manchester. Please join us in wishing Alison the very best of luck 🏆💙 If you're looking for a role that makes a real difference to the community, has an ambitious vision & gives you the opportunity to develop your talents, check out career opportunities with the Council here: https://lnkd.in/dhGFxiW