Mill Lane’s temporary chicane

Mill Lane reopened today, Monday 29th November, three weeks later than originally planned. The works were extended after drains and unmapped services were found, which needed attention from utility companies. The original plan for the works saw the road reopening with temporary traffic lights, and that has now happened. But there’s a chicane to negotiate

The Wichel Inn opens

After a three week refurbishment, the pub that was ‘The Bayberry’ has reopened as ‘The Wichel Inn’. The pub was opened shortly after 11am by Swindon mayor, Councillor Garry Perkins. Whilst it remains a Marston’s pub, it is no longer part of their ‘Two for One’ chain. Apart from the change of name, inside the

An evening without water in East Wichel

East Wichel and other areas of south Swindon and Wroughton spent the evening of Monday 1st November without water. The pressure began dropping in the afternoon, and by early evening many had no water at all. The loss of water comes when Thames Water are still working to repair a burst main from the previous

Council starts work plugging the East Wichel canal leak

Over three years since the council and canal trust started investigating the leak in the canal in East Wichel, work has finally started on plugging the hole. Swindon Borough Council started working with the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust to find the leak in August 2018. An initial tender by the canal trust for contractors

Council extends closure of path to Wroughton

The temporary closure of the bridleway between East Wichel and Wroughton was announced by councillors and the local MP in mid July. It was stated the the closure would last for just five weeks from 26th July, and between 8 am and 5 pm only. Last week Swindon Borough Council posted a public notice (reference STR000232) that

The Bayberry set for £¼ million autumn makeover

Staff at The Bayberry in East Wichel told pub-goers yesterday evening that the pub is set for a revamp this autumn. Marston’s will be spending almost £250,000 on the refurbishment. The pub will lose its ‘Two for One’ branding and gain a pool table and darts board. The complete makeover will also include an extension

Small care home proposed for Trecastle Road

A company from Falkirk in Scotland plans to convert a house in Trecastle Road into a small care home. Safe As Houses Property Investment PLC has submitted a planning application to convert 8 Trecastle Road into a care home for five residents. The plan would see the two largest bedrooms of the six bedroom house each

Borough Council elections in May

The candidates for this year’s elections to Swindon Borough Council have now been announced. These elections were postponed from last year owing to the pandemic and will be on Thursday 6th May. For East Wichel, which is in the Old Town ward of Swindon Borough Council, there are six candidates standing for one seat. Tim Almond

Date set for Mill Lane closure

A sign has appeared at the Old Town end of Mill Lane stating that the lane will close permanently from 26th April. The road will initially close to all traffic where it passes under the old railway line path, whilst a turning area for vehicles is constructed. It will then reopen for pedestrians and cyclists only,

Plans for 182 homes between Waitrose and East Wichel Way

The joint venture between Swindon Borough Council and Barrett Developments have submitted plans for the first part of their ‘Wichel Fields’ development. This is the area between Mill Lane and Foxham Way, filling in the field opposite the end of East Wichel Way. The development will have 182 houses and apartments, including eight houses for

Parish council plans for a thicket of trees

South Swindon Parish Council have been approached by Earthwatch UK with a proposal to create a thicket — which Earthwatch brand a ‘Tiny Forest’ — in an area near to the East Wichel play park. The proposal would involve planting 600 trees in an area the size of a tennis court. The idea is based

Staldon Road set to close at school run times

The road outside East Wichel Primary School will close at school-run times from February or March, if plans by Swindon Borough Council get approved. The council has opened an ‘informal consultation’ on its plan for a ‘School safe environment zone’. The proposal would see Staldon Road close for 75 minutes every morning and afternoon, Mondays to

Christmas 2020 and New Year 2021 services

The following services will operate in East Wichel over the Christmas and New Year period. Waste and recycling collections There’s very little change to waste and recycling collections in East Wichel this Christmas, with most collections happening on their usual scheduled days. The only changes are Garden waste There will be no garden waste collection

La Beauté completes the parade

From today, just over two years since Jessica’s Hair & Beauty closed in East Wichel, residents will again be able to get a hair cut without leaving East Wichel. Hair salon La Beauté is opening on Tuesday 29th September in Unit B of Staldon Court, between Copacabana Brazilian Kitchen and Wichelstowe Dental Care. Twenty months

East Wichel play park set for a makeover

East Wichel’s six-years old play area is to be improved by South Swindon Parish Council. Since the parish council took over the play areas in its area from Swindon Borough Council, it has had a rolling programme to upgrade them. Although at the time it was described as being high quality by the borough council’s

February road closures

Getting out of Wichelstowe towards the west could be difficult in the second half of February. Mill Lane will be closed from 15th to 23rd February between Waitrose car park and the bridge over the motorway to allow works on nearby houses being built. The traffic calming on Mill Lane will also be replaced at the same

Christmas and New Year services

The following services will be available in East Wichel over the Christmas and New Year period. The Stowe Church Carols by Candlelight Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24th December, 4.30pm to 5.30pm at The StoweAway. A traditional and peaceful start to Christmas. Waste and recycling collections Monday 23rd December and Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24th December The waste

Police seek witnesses after Bentley abandoned in East Wichel

A police helicopter circled over East Wichel for a long time early on Sunday afternoon, after a high speed chase along the M4 motorway. A Bentley was reported driving at high speed between the two Swindon junctions of the motorway at 1.30 pm. The police gave chase and the car left the motorway at the West