Swindon station's forecourt area will be transformed from a heavily traffic dominated area to a prestigious pedestrian focused arrival space whilst incorporating transport links and improved facilities.

The forecourt will be paved with high quality granites to define a large pedestrian space to the front of the station entrance and this material will continue across Station Road, defining the pedestrian route leading into the town centre.  Around this space, lighter colour granite continues the high quality feel and defines areas with access to transport links (buses and taxis).  Running through the granites are sinuous bands of Pennant sandstone which suggest intersecting rails, provide a sense of movement and help to delineate the various usage areas. 

Rail Replacement Service (RRS) buses require access to the forecourt and this has been integrated into the design to achieve a safely delineated route whilst not dominating the pedestrian space at other times.

A new taxi rank is organised in three stacking lanes (14 taxi’s) merging into one for pick-up and an additional lane for taxi drop off’s and emergency vehicles only.  The design also proposes to change the flow of traffic in Gloucester Street and introduce a taxi feeder rank (11 taxi’s) along the South West side. To the east of the forecourt along Station Road an extensive lay-by provides for service deliveries and pick-up/ drop-off for disabled passengers. 

The Swindon Station Forecourt proposals will result in a prestigious, open and pedestrian-priority space, providing a durable and maintainable public realm whilst enabling the full range of transport links and facilities.