Wichel Way, formerly known as the Wichelstowe Southern Access, officially opened on Monday (26 October) following the completion of the final section by developers.
The road includes a new underpass beneath the M4, allowing drivers to access the motorway junction without travelling along existing routes.
It connects Hay Lane and Wharf Road with Redposts Drive to the north and Croft Road to the east, improving access to the growing Wichelstowe development.
Swindon Borough Council completed work on the motorway underpass four years ago, but the final connection into Wichelstowe via Scott Way was delivered by Wichelstowe LLP.
The road has been constructed in stages as new homes have been built, with the latest work allowing the entire route to open for the first time.
Building the underpass was a major engineering operation, with construction taking place beneath the M4 while traffic continued to use the motorway above.
Engineers constructed the outer structure and entrances before excavating beneath the carriageway, avoiding significant lane closures.
The scheme also provides dedicated routes for pedestrians and cyclists, creating another crossing beneath the motorway.
Traffic calming measures have been introduced along Wichel Way and will remain until further housing development takes place to the south and additional junctions are built.
Councillor Nick Gardiner, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said:
“The opening of Wichel Way marks the completion of a major piece of infrastructure for Wichelstowe and the culmination of many years of work.
“Creating an entirely new route beneath the M4 was a significant feat of engineering. The underpass was constructed while keeping motorway traffic moving and avoiding any significant lane closures, which was an impressive achievement given the scale and complexity of the project.
“We can now see the full benefit of that work, with a new route that will improve access to Wichelstowe, while also providing new walking and cycling links across the M4.
“With thousands more homes planned in the area, it’s important we have the right transport connections in place to support the community as it continues to grow.”
Around 4,000 homes are expected to be delivered as part of the wider Wichelstowe development, alongside a new district centre and sections of the Wilts & Berks Canal.
There are also proposals to install artwork inside the underpass to create a gateway into Wichelstowe, although this would require approval from National Highways, which owns the structure.
The £28.7 million project was funded through £22.9 million from the Department for Transport, allocated via the former Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
Swindon Borough Council contributed the remaining £5.8 million towards the scheme.
