Swindon Borough Council has begun public consultation on its £3 million plan to upgrade two railway underpasses in the town.

The council plans to rejuvenate the Bristol Street and Sheppard Street tunnels as part of its three-year, £100 million Heritage Action Zone Streets and Spaces project.

The plans include a redesign and refurbishment of the tunnel entrances, and the streets themselves, to improve pedestrian access and safety while also increasing the number of green spaces in the area.

This will involve upgraded lighting and artwork, cleaning treatments, new surfaces and the creation of a ‘pocket park’ at the Shepard Street entrance.

Councillor Matty Courtliff, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage, Leisure and Town Centre Experience, said: “I’m pleased to see this project moving forward as it’s important to ensure a safe and pleasant environment for users of the underpasses when they are walking or cycling from the Swindon Designer Outlet and North Star to the town centre.

“The best way for us to do this is work in consultation with the users and I’d encourage people to come forward and share their views on what they think of these plans and let us know their ideas.

“If anyone has any comments about this project, please get in touch.”

Full plans can be seen here.

People can share their views on the plans at HAZstreetsandspaces@swindon.gov.uk.