Council Announces New Monorail for Swindon Town Centre 

The proposed monorail system

Stung by criticism concerning the traffic congestion in Swindon, the Borough Council have unveiled plans to build a monorail system to link the town centre with a series of car parks on the outskirts of the town.

 
Due for public consultation today, the radical plan is the first in a number of measures the Council believe will cut car use in Swindon by 95% by the end of 2006. Other ideas include the compulsory use of bicycles for all commuters travelling less than two miles, and the permanent banning of all four wheeled vehicles within the Borough by 2008.

 
The estimated cost of the scheme is in the region of £127 million pounds - money that Council spokeman, David Peters, thinks is money well spent.

 
"Swindon has a history of pioneering the railway system in this country and this new monorail is, we believe, the perfect solution for those are sick and tired of waiting in endless traffic jams while trying to get into the town centre.

 
"We expect feverish debate about the plans, but the Borough Council is determined to see the project through to fruition," he added.

 
Travelling at speeds of up to one hundred and seventy miles per hour, passengers can expect to be transported from areas such as Haydon Wick to Canal Walk in little over four minutes. And from Abbey Meads in five.

 
Kept under wraps until now, the plans are expected to be finalised at an extra-ordinary general meeting of the Council transport committee this evening. All those against the project are urged to attend.

 
SwindonWeb: 1st April 2003

 
Special thanks to Jasper Fforde for his invaluable assistance to putting together this ground-breaking story.