£40m Swindon Bridge which never opened may be demolished after Major Structural Issues Uncovered

A £40 million bridge project in Swindon that has never been opened to the public could soon be torn down and rebuilt after engineers uncovered significant construction defects.

The Southern Connector Road was meant to link 10,000 new homes to the A419 and M4, improving access across the south of the town. However, the road and bridge have remained closed since completion after the main contractor, Buckingham Group, went into administration in 2023 before crucial safety assessments could be completed.

Swindon Borough councillor Chris Watts has criticised the project, saying the workmanship fell far below expectations. He reported that the connecting road has developed cracks in several areas, and investigations have revealed the bridge contains inappropriate materials, including fragments of brick and plasterboard, which could weaken its structure. Problems have also been found in the surrounding embankments.

Following the construction company’s collapse, the council determined that the site was unsafe for use and that the bridge could not be opened to traffic.

Cllr Watts explained that ongoing testing continues to expose further complications:

“We knew early on this road wasn’t built to the standard required, but the situation keeps deteriorating. Before spending more taxpayers’ money on repairs, we have to be confident we’re not just delaying even bigger problems in the future.”

He said that more investigations are underway to decide whether the bridge can be salvaged or if full replacement is the best option. A clearer picture is expected before the end of the year.

According to the BBC, Buckingham Group’s administrators are still in discussions with Swindon Borough Council about the future of the project. A conflict administrator was appointed in July 2025 to oversee matters, but the firm confirmed it no longer owns the land or serves as the project’s contractor. The administrators said they were unable to provide further comment at this stage.