March 2020 - Issue 3

The New Eastern Villages (NEV) is one of the largest greenfield developments in the country, and we want to keep you updated as works progress.

This newsletter will drop into your inbox every month and will contain everything you need to know about the development and the accompanying roadworks.

New to the newsletter? Read previous editions

Coronavirus - Potential impact on schedule of works

Like local authorities all across the country, the coronavirus pandemic has presented us with significant and unprecedented challenges. 

At the time of writing, the highways upgrades that are necessary to deliver the NEV development have not been overtly affected by the measures required to stop the spread of the virus. However, it is anticipated that some timings to road works may need to change depending on further mitigation measures taken by central government. We will keep members of the public fully updated where necessary.

The crews that are still working on site are following strict social distancing rules. 

Last week, the Greenbridge roundabout was lit blue to recognise the incredible work being done by NHS and social care staff who are doing so much to keep us all safe.

The Greenbridge roundabout upgrade was the first of the NEV highways projects to be completed, and we are pleased to have been able to use it for this glowing tribute.

Meet the NEV team

There are 14 people in our dedicated New Eastern Villages team. They have been working on this project for a number of years and are experts in their respective fields.

In each newsletter edition we will introduce you to one of them.

Kimberly Corps

Deputy Service Manager, Strategic Planning

Kim has worked for the Council for 16 years and is responsible for overseeing the planning applications for development within the NEV.

On a daily basis she works with developers, interested parties and local communities to ensure development is delivered in accordance with the plans for the area.

What's recently happened?

Gantry removal postponed due to weather

Earlier this month, we were hoping to remove the overhead gantry by the former Toys R Us car park exit on the A420. However, severe weather conditions caused by recent storms has meant that this work has had to be postponed.

A new date has now been selected for the removal of the gantry: the night of Sunday, 5 April from 8pm until 6am on Monday, 6 April.  

This work is part of the improvements planned for White Hart roundabout and will require the temporary closure of the A420 between White Hart junction and Gablecross roundabout.

Vegetation clearance on White Hart junction

We have been clearing vegetation around White Hart roundabout in preparation for roadworks taking place. The clearance work has mainly been undertaken at night, though some more minor bits have been done during the day.

These works have stopped for the time being while government advice on coronavirus mitigation measures are being adhered to.

Overnight surveys taking place

We conducted surveys at Gablecross roundabout, the Nythe Road/Oxford Road junction and Piccadilly roundabout. 

The surveys are needed to assess the condition of the existing pavement structure before the work starts in earnest.

Thank you to residents in these areas for their patience while this work has taken place. 

What's happening next?

Ermin Street allotment clearance

Work is being planned to relocate the allotments at Ermin Street to prepare for work at White Hart junction.

New allotment plots will be built on the existing Ermin Street link to White Hart roundabout.

We have been working closely with the Stratton St. Margaret Parish Council for the last year or so, and have been in consultation with the allotment holders.

The old South Marston Hotel

One of the development sites within the NEV is at the former South Marston Hotel.

Outline planning permission was granted in 2017 for up to 70 houses. This included financial contributions towards the primary school expansion and new community building, allotments and sports facilities, new pedestrian and cycle links and community forest planting. Further planning approval was granted last year and work started on site soon after.

The site used to be a Mercure Hotel and leisure club. The hotel was based around the Old Vicarage building which was built by Alfred Bell in the late nineteenth century. Due to a fire at the Old Vicarage building in the summer of 2017, it could not be retained and converted to residential use. But given its historical importance, the new development will provide a replacement Vicarage building at the front of the site.

Given the central location within South Marston, the site is key to the wider expansion of the village and the NEV. It will provide a link to the new village centre and expanded primary school, and there will be a number of pedestrian and cycle connections.

An area of open space will be provided to the south west of the site, which will contribute to the wider green infrastructure network.

Traffic lights: Giving drivers the green light

We know that traffic lights might seem to slow things down. But traffic modelling shows they are sometimes the best way of reducing congestion. 

Here's why:

Traffic lights offer a lot of benefits at busy junctions. They:

  • Keep traffic flowing, balancing out longer and shorter queues, offering cars from all directions a safe opportunity to enter the junction
  • Make junctions safer by preventing dangerous queues from backing up (this is the case at the White Hart roundabout, where traffic on the southbound off-slip road backs up on to the A419)

At busy times, it can be difficult for cars to enter roundabouts, particularly if traffic from the right is heavy. Traffic lights give all lanes the chance to enter the roundabout safely, helping to prevent long queues.

Public Q&A

We expect you have a lot of questions about the NEV. If you submit them via the link below, we will answer three in the next issue.

These were the questions people put to us following last month's newsletter:

Q: You're cutting down trees. Are you going to be planting more?

A: The highways upgrades require some trees to be removed. This work is being done well in advance to ensure that nesting birds don't delay the project once it gets underway - it's important to make sure that wildlife isn't unintentionally harmed while the roadworks are taking place.

At White Hart, we have had to remove some trees and undergrowth to construct a new northbound entry slip road onto the A419. Once the construction is complete, there will be landscaping and tree planting in other areas around White Hart to replace the trees we have removed.

We are also working to ensure that, within the wider NEV development, planning proposals include new community woodlands that will result in a net increase in tree cover.

Q: As part of the White Hart proposals, why are you closing the existing entry onto Ermin Street? 

A: Due to the requirement for the new northbound slip road onto the A419, it will no longer be possible to maintain access to Ermin Street directly from the White Hart roundabout. However, new access to Ermin Street will be provided from Oxford Road.

Q: Are the roads around the east of Swindon going to be completely gridlocked while this work is being done?

A: Where possible, we will be doing works at quieter times and will therefore do our best to ensure that congestion is not above that which would normally be expected on a major highways improvement. We hope residents will observe the diversions and appreciate the massive improvements at the end.

Our contractors will be doing this work on a schedule and will appreciate the support of residents.

If you have any other queries or if there is anything else relating to the NEV that we can help with, don't hesitate to get in touch.

Email us

Copyright © 2020. Swindon Borough Council. All rights reserved.

Swindon Borough Council, Civic Offices, Euclid Street, Swindon, SN1 2JH

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