Date set for controversial Queen's Drive subway closure

Swindon Borough Council greenlit the decision to demolish two subways near Coate Water last year, and has announced one, on Queen's Drive, will be closing on April 19. 

In the meantime, contractor Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd will be looking to install a temporary signalised crossing on the busy road, before the subway is closed for good on Wednesday.

No date has yet been set for when the other subway providing a safe crossing to Coate Water underneath Marlborough Road will be demolished. 

The two will eventually be replaced by a surface-level toucan crossing on Queens Drive as part of road improvement works that the council says will last between now and the end of the year at least.

Work has already begun at the busy roundabout and surrounding area, with the set-up of the contractor’s compound on the grassed area between Queens Drive and Marlborough Road.

The compound near Queens Drive and Marlborough Road in Swindon for upcoming roadworks in the area, including the demolition of two subways (Image: Swindon Borough Council)

Wills Bros will now also begin cleaning and surveying the existing drainage system on the roundabout preparing for future new connections.

Lane closures and 20 mph speed restrictions will be in place during the work from mid-April, and any planned road closures are due to be done overnight to minimise the impact on road users.

The public notices released for the planned underpass closures received 125 responses, of which 120 were against the proposals with only five in support. 

In addition, the public consultation for the scheme, which took place in February and March 2021, received 165 concerns which many locals say have simply been dismissed. 

Despite this, and following a failed attempt to get the decision called into a scrutiny meeting by some ward councillors, the council green-lit this decision in April 2022 stating they had to go because they were 'unsafe'.

In a statement confirming the Queen's Drive closure on Facebook, a council spokesperson again addressed the reason for the closure

They said: "The existing subways, accessed by steep paths, are narrow, poorly designed and dimly lit, meaning they do not offer an attractive route to encourage safe and frequent use by pedestrians and cyclists."

But members of the public reacting to the news did not agree. 

One said: "In recent weeks there have been 3 accidents of pedestrians hit by cars while using a crossing. It's nowhere near as safe as a subway."

Another added: "I have not spoken to one person who thinks this is going to be an improvement on what's already there. Another example of SBC ignoring the people of Swindon."