New £30m road beneath M4 opens in Swindon

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 13:58 · Archive

A new £30m road called Wichel Way has opened in Swindon, running beneath the M4 motorway to connect the Wichelstowe housing development with Junction 16.

Wichel Way, formally known as the Wichelstowe Southern Access, has opened in Swindon. The new £30m road connects the Wichelstowe housing development with Junction 16 of the M4 via a purpose-built underpass beneath the motorway. The project was created to support the long-term growth of Wichelstowe, one of Swindon's largest housing developments, with thousands more homes planned in the area.

The route links Hay Lane and Wharf Road to Redposts Drive in the north and Croft Road in the east. Planning permission for the broader Wichelstowe development required the new access route, which runs beneath the M4 east of Junction 16. Ideas for the road were first proposed in 2019.

Swindon Borough Council completed the underpass in 2023, with developers Wichelstowe LLP building the final road connection into Wichelstowe via Scott Way in phases. The construction of the underpass presented significant engineering challenges, as work had to continue while keeping motorway traffic moving and avoiding any significant lane closures. Engineers built the outer structure and entrances before excavating the underpass and laying the road beneath the motorway.

Councillor Nick Gardiner, Swindon Borough Council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said the opening marked "the completion of a major piece of infrastructure for Wichelstowe and the culmination of many years of work". He described creating an entirely new route beneath the M4 as "a significant feat of engineering" and "an impressive achievement given the scale and complexity of the project".

The road features traffic calming measures, which will remain until housebuilding extends further south and new junctions are built. The council has also announced plans for new artwork in the underpass in future to create a "welcoming gateway" for drivers entering the area.

How it is being reported

• Major new road under M4 finally opens after years of workA new main road below the M4 in Swindon has finally opened.Wiltshire Times · 26 Oct, 13:53
• New underpass created as £30m road opensThe road has been created to support the long-term growth of one of Swindon's largest housing developments.BBC Wiltshire · 26 Oct, 13:52
• Major new road under M4 finally opens after years of workA new main road below the M4 in Swindon has finally opened.Gazette & Herald · 26 Oct, 13:34
• Major new road under M4 finally opens after years of workA new main road below the M4 in Swindon has finally opened.Swindon Advertiser · 26 Oct, 13:34

In this story: Wichelstowe · Swindon · M4 · Swindon Borough Council · Wichelstowe LLP · Nick Gardiner

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