New underpass created as £30m road opens

A £30m road has opened to support a community "as it continues to grow" with thousands of new homes.

Wichel Way, officially known as the Wichelstowe Southern Access road, opened on Monday in Swindon, Wiltshire. It stretches from the Wichelstowe development and through a new underpass beneath the M4 motorway to reach Junction 16.

The road was created to support the long-term growth of Wichelstowe, one of Swindon's largest housing developments.

Nick Gardiner, from Swindon Borough Council, said: "With thousands more homes planned in the area, it is important we have the right transport connections in place to support the community as it continues to grow."

Plans for the road first went on display in 2019, with Swindon Borough Council completing work on the underpass in 2023.

Gardiner described the creation of the new route beneath the M4 as a "significant feat of engineering".

He said: "The underpass was constructed while keeping motorway traffic moving and avoiding any significant lane closures, which was an impressive achievement given the scale and complexity of the project."

The new underpass beneath the M4 will be home to new artwork in the future to create a "welcoming gateway" for drivers entering the area, the council said.

Previously, Wichelstowe residents told the BBC they hoped the new road would improve traffic in the area.

The council's website said: "The main purpose of the road is to provide access to Wichelstowe.

"It is not a relief road and should not attract large amounts of through traffic."

Once complete, the wider Wichelstowe development is expected to deliver some 4,000 homes in total, alongside a new district centre and newly-created sections of the Wilts & Berks Canal.

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