Swindon roundabout underpasses filled in near Coate Water

Work continues near Coate roundabout following Swindon Borough Council's controversial decision to close two subways that connect Queens Drive and Marlborough Road to Coate Water.

Work continues near Coate Roundabout (Image: Dave Cox)

After giving the scheme the green light last year, contractor Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd set up at the site in mid-April.

New photos of the junction show that the entrance to the pedestrian pathway underneath Queens Drive has been completely covered by cement.

The temporary crossing on Queens Drive (Image: Dave Cox)

A temporary crossing is currently in place on the main road, while the Marlborough Road subway is yet to be demolished.

The two underpasses will eventually be replaced by a surface-level toucan crossing on Queens Drive. Both used to be flooded regularly, but Thames Water fixed the drainage issue last year.

The underpass near Marlborough Road has not yet been filled in (Image: Dave Cox)

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

The public consultation for the scheme, which took place in February and March 2021, received 165 concerns which many locals said were dismissed. 

Despite this, and following a failed attempt to get the decision called into a scrutiny meeting by some ward councillors, the council approved the project in April 2022 because the underpasses were 'unsafe'.

The Queens Drive underpass has been filled in (Image: Dave Cox)