Long-awaited access road under M4 in Swindon could open next month
The final safety checks are now underway on the £20m Southern Access Road, linking Wichelstowe to the south of the motorway
A long-awaited access road running under the M4 in Swindon could open as soon as next month.
The £25 million Southern Access Road, which runs under the M4 and links Wichelstowe to the south of the motorway, could be open by the end of next month.
Construction of the road was completed in January 2023, but it has remained closed due to delays in connecting it to the existing road network.
This work required coordination between housing developers and Swindon Borough Council.
On Friday, September 18, a Swindon Borough Council spokesperson said that the council are carrying out final road safety checks and that they hope the road will be opened by the end of next month.
It was previously thought that the road could be open prior to the summer.
In April, a council spokesperson said: “As the aerial photographs show drone photography by Jason Spickett, we are getting closer to the opening of Scott Way and the Wichelstowe Southern Access.
“The new roundabout and Scott Way extension are almost finished and the traffic-calming measures have been installed.
“We expect the road to be opened to the public before the Summer once our Highways team have completed their final inspections and safety checks.”
The Southern Access Road joins Hay Lane and Wharf Road at a specially-built roundabout and passes beneath the M4 east of Junction 16.
While the road has been closed, it has attracted attention for other reasons.
Travellers have set up camp on the unused tarmac on several occasions, including in June 2024, April 2025 and February 2026.
Concerns have also been raised about rubbish and damage left behind after the camps were vacated.
In July 2023, the project was shortlisted for the ICE South West Civil Engineering Awards.
It was recognised for the engineering achievement of tunnelling beneath the M4 without requiring full motorway closures.
In April, drone images taken by Jason Spickett showed that pedestrians and cyclists were already using part of the new Wichel Way section.
Residents have expressed frustration over the misuse of the closed road.
Stuart Slee, a resident, said the area had been “earmarked as a new dumping ground which is hidden in plain sight.”