On February 23, 2026, Swindon Borough Council joined five other cities in a direct appeal to Chancellor Rachel Reeves for more national investment in Swindon, Wiltshire. The council is working with leaders from Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Norwich, Oxford, and Peterborough to secure funding for local roads, housing, and utilities.
A major part of the request focuses on a large project to fix up the area around the town railway station. Known as Swindon Knowledge Central, the plan would turn 100 acres of old industrial land into a new neighborhood with spaces for technology businesses and thousands of new jobs.
Earlier in February 2026, the government Rail Minister confirmed his support for a new direct train service between Swindon and Oxford. Local leaders believe this new transport link is a vital part of helping the town grow and bringing in more business investment to the community.
This push for funding comes after a group of 13 local councils proposed a new regional partnership in December 2025. The councils hope that working together on this bid will help them get the money needed to improve the town centre and create better opportunities for local people.
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