Ref. 75968-82THE regeneration of Swindon town centre has started. The demolition of the former post office and sorting office on Fleming Way marks the start of a series of projects to improve the town centre.

The New Swindon Company wants to see shops, homes and offices built in the area around the old post office site, which it has called The Exchange.

The post office closed in October 2002 and English Partnerships, the national regeneration company which helps fund the New Swindon Company, bought the site.

David Warburton, area director for English Partnerships, said it was an exciting day.

"We see this as the catalyst that will really start improving the town centre," he said.

"It is a key location between the railway station and the town centre and we have got to make sure that what happens here is really special and goes that extra mile."

Demolition, which is costing about £120,000, will take six weeks and master planners will be appointed to draw up detailed proposals for the Exchange, which also includes the bus depot site and surrounding area, in the next few weeks. Local people will be consulted on the plans they draw up. At least 40 per cent of the development will be housing but shops will probably dominate the front of the site, around the old post office site.

The first stage of developing the area could start within 12 months but work will be phased and the project may take several years to complete.

Peter Andrews, chief executive at The New Swindon Company, said: "The demolition of this building is an important step in the regeneration of the town centre.

"It starts to demonstrate that there is real commitment to moving forward."

Coun Jemima Milton, Swindon Council's cabinet member for environment and property, was also pleased work was starting.

"It is brilliant that we have actually started on the regeneration," she said.

"Even though it is starting by knocking something down, it gives us that blank canvas to work on.

"I am looking forward to consulting with local people about what is going to happen."

The Exchange is one of seven major projects for the town put forward by the New Swindon Company in July last year.

Information about the projects can be found on The New Swindon Company's website at www.newswindon.co.uk.

Isabel Field