More major changes to the ever-evolving face of the town centre take effect from this week after the closure of a well-used subway.

The Fleming Way underpass, at the end of the Parade, has closed for good, with work to start to demolish it and bring it level with the new bus boulevard as part of a £33 million redevelopment project.

Concerns were raised over the diversion route and its accessibility for elderly and disabled shoppers.

One, who did not wish to give his name, told the Adver last week: "I get a bus into town and the subway doesn't bother me - but if they block it all off, how will people get through to the bus station?

"It would make it impossible for people to shop. I have bad legs and don't feel very good about this.

Swindon Advertiser: Several bus services in Swindon will now travel via Manchester Road.Several bus services in Swindon will now travel via Manchester Road. (Image: Newsquest)

"A hell of a lot is being done and the council is spending a fortune, but I don't see how it will benefit us. They're not thinking about public welfare."

"This area used to be a pleasure to walk through, but it's not now."

Mary Sissons, who uses a zimmer frame on wheels to help move around, said: "This is going to make life really difficult for me because it's such a long walk and I'm so slow.

"They don't think of disabled people.

READ MORE: We walked the 12-minute Fleming Way diversion - this is what it's like

"I try to avoid coming into town anyway because there's lots of cracks and the paving is not level."

The busker in the underpass, who gave his name as Flute, added: "I don't mind it closing, I just go with the flow, wherever the wind takes me, though the acoustics here are great."

It comes as Corporation Street also closed on Monday morning and will remain shut until at least December with Swindon Borough Council changing the layout of the road and the Whalebridge junction.

This is to make them compatible with the regeneration of Fleming Way and the Kimmerfields site next to Zurich's new UK head office.

Now commenced, this has had a knock-on effect for travel plans, with many bus routes having to make diversions.

The majority of these bus routes would normally have to travel via Corporation Street and will now instead divert down Manchester Road in the direction of the Magic Roundabout.

Bus services that have been affected by the rerouting include: 6, 9, 10, 13, 14, S6, 46A 48 48A X46, 49, 53, 80, 81 and 82.