Swindon’s architecturally magnificent (we joke) bus station is to be demolished.
Demolition work is getting underway following the opening of the new bus interchange on Fleming Way earlier this year.
Swindon Borough Council has appointed Cognition Land & Water to demolish the ageing structure, which has been unused since services transferred to the new facility.
Work will start with the removal of the metal canopy before progressing to the main building.
Materials including asbestos, brickwork, kerbs and concrete will be safely removed and processed, with much of it crushed and reused on site where possible. Steel and other materials that cannot be reused will be sent away for recycling.
Pre-demolition work is already happening, with individual bus stops being removed from the site. The council says the clearance of the former bus station is the next step in the wider regeneration of the Kimmerfields area.
A design code is currently being developed to support a high-quality regeneration scheme and to help secure a development partner. Plans for the former bus station site include new public spaces designed to improve pedestrian links with the railway station.
These would feature footpaths and planting similar to those introduced along Fleming Way and would be centred around a new public square.
To the north of the proposed square, the council is exploring plans for a new regional entertainment venue. Work is ongoing to identify funding options and ensure the project is viable in the long term.
The proposals form part of the council’s Heart of Swindon vision, which includes more than 50 projects aimed at reshaping the town centre. The vision was launched earlier this year at the House of Lords.
Jim Robbins, Leader of the Council, said: “I’m so happy I was able to play a small part in getting rid of this awful facility, which did not create a good first impression of Swindon.
“I’m sure we can all agree that Fleming Way is a much more pleasant environment for catching the bus.
“It’s important that the new and improved bus interchange provides a springboard for the wider regeneration of the town centre and this is already bearing fruit with the millions of pounds that have been invested in the old Tri-Centre building and landlords elsewhere in the town centre bringing forward plans to transform their buildings.
“Our job now is to carry on bringing our Heart of Swindon vision to life by using the land we do own to make the town centre a place we can all be proud of.”
Cllr Robbins added: “Once the bus station is gone, that makes land available for a new town centre entertainment venue to replace the ageing Wyvern.
“Meanwhile, we hope to attract a development partner to finally breathe new life into the derelict Kimmerfields site.
“I’m pleased we will be entering 2026 with plenty of optimism for the year ahead.”
