Creating an additional route into Wichelstowe, a new community in Swindon
Wichelstowe is a mixed urban extension to the southwest of Swindon which will include 4,300 homes. The scheme involves major infrastructure works, the latest of which is the creation of an underpass and a new road access to Junction 16 of the M4 which will provide residents with new access to their community.
Our team has been involved at Wichelstowe for over a decade and was appointed lead designer for the underpass. The M4 is one of the United Kingdom’s busiest motorways and progressing work with minimal disruption is a challenge. By working with the client, local communities, and the contractor, we devised a methodology that lessened impact for motorists and residents. Advanced engineering methods were used, including building the bridge in stages and the construction of an embankment to redirect lanes of traffic, providing space for work to progress while drivers continued using the motorway. The excavation of the underpass and construction of the new road underneath the motorway have all progressed with no significant road closures.
The underpass is now ready to open and, once in operation, the road will provide a fourth access into Wichelstowe, helping support the new community and around 2,000 new jobs, by unlocking 12.5 hectares of employment land.
At a Glance
- Offices
- Client
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- Alun Griffiths on behalf of
- Swindon Borough Council
- Image Credit
- Alun Griffiths
James Skilton, Senior Associate, Bridges
I take great satisfaction from seeing people using and benefiting from the bridges I have designed.
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