Swindon ready to deliver growth in Oxford-Cambridge corridor

Swindon is ready and able to play a central role in delivering growth across the Oxford-Cambridge corridor and the wider Thames Valley, the Government’s Science Minister has been told.

Lord Vallance, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, visited Swindon yesterday (19 Feb) to hear how Swindon Borough Council is driving growth through immediate development and regeneration opportunities, while also attracting cutting-edge advanced manufacturing firms to boost its burgeoning reputation as a defence and technology hub.

The Minister was shown key regeneration sites, including Knowledge Central, a major regeneration project aimed at transforming approximately 100 acres of brownfield land around Swindon railway station into a premier district for business, education, and research.

The visit, hosted by Council Leader, Councillor Jim Robbins, Swindon South MP, Heidi Alexander, and Swindon North MP, Will Stone, showcased the Borough’s immediate delivery potential with projects such as Knowledge Central ready to progress at pace with targeted infrastructure support.

Lord Vallance met representatives from Business West and leading European drone manufacturer Tekever, which recently announced it is establishing the UK’s largest drone production facility in Swindon.

Meeting at the town’s historic Carriage Works, Lord Vallance also heard how the Council’s Heart of Swindon vision aims to deliver 8,000 new homes in central Swindon, and how Swindon is already a complementary partner to Oxford, bringing scale, affordability, and advanced manufacturing capability to strengthen the growth corridor utilising its ‘Swindon Make it Here’ place branding.

The Council also highlighted the case for a portfolio approach to housing delivery across the wider Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority to enable high-yield sites in stronger value areas to help unlock lower-yield urban regeneration sites in Swindon, a model successfully used in London.

Councillor Jim Robbins, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said:

“Swindon is ready to deliver and we can do so now. We have identified 8,000 new homes in our town centre, alongside transformational regeneration opportunities such as Knowledge Central, but we need modest, targeted infrastructure investment to unlock them.

“Our manufacturing base, growing R&D capability and emerging defence and drone technologies uniquely position Swindon within the Oxford–Cambridge corridor. We complement Oxford’s strengths by offering scale, affordability and the ability to turn innovation into production.

“Swindon has its head up. We are actively pursuing every opportunity to drive inclusive growth that benefits our residents directly. ‘Make It Here’ isn’t just a slogan, it is what we do.”

UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said:

“Swindon has the talent and infrastructure to play an important role in delivering on our ambitions for the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, with particular strengths in advanced manufacturing, defence technology and aspects of pharmaceuticals. 

"Our investment into East-West Rail, the Culham AI Growth Zone, and record backing for UK Research and Innovation is turning world class science into business opportunities, delivering new jobs and growth for the wider region."

Heidi Alexander MP, said:

“Swindon is exceptionally well placed to support the Government’s ambitions for economic growth across the region. Our town combines innovation, manufacturing excellence, and affordability in a way that few places can.
 
“I will be working closely with ministerial colleagues, Swindon Borough Council and our local businesses to ensure that Swindon’s potential is fully realised and that we secure the investment needed to unlock new homes, new jobs and long-term prosperity for our community.”

Will Stone MP, said:

“It was amazing to show Lord Vallance some of the incredible innovation taking place in Swindon. With the establishment of the Drone Hub and major companies like TEKEVER, STARK and Flyby, Swindon is at the cutting edge of technology. I’m really keen for our town to grow as the first place people think of when they think of aviation, innovation and manufacturing.

"It’s not only about where Swindon is on a map, it’s about who we are; as a people. We have an incredible sense of community, top tier skills and dreams for what our town could be. With the support of the government and incredible companies, that are already here, those moving to our town or those who will come, we can build an economic powerhouse where the opportunities we will develop can be grasped by local people.”

Karl Brew, Director of TEKEVER Defence, said:

"Swindon is an excellent example of a place that knows how to turn ambition into delivery. For TEKEVER, it offers the practical ingredients you need to scale; great people, strong connectivity, and a community that backs high-value engineering and manufacturing.

“We’re proud to be growing our footprint here; creating skilled roles and building long-term capability. It’s also exactly the kind of place that brings the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor story to life, where innovation translates into jobs, investment and real-world outcomes.”

Matt Griffith, Director of Policy at Business West, said:

“We are delighted to have Lord Vallance recognise the important role that Swindon has to play in delivering economic growth in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor.

“Swindon is an economic powerhouse with a can-do attitude and a strong private sector presence. It has an enviable track record of being home for cutting-edge industries and has a natural complementarity as the place to make and grow the ideas being generated by Oxford and our high knowledge region.

“Government can help unlock further growth with enhanced rail connectivity into Oxford from Swindon, whilst strategic investment will unlock the housing and jobs that will bring considerable benefits to the UK and working people.”

Phil Taylor, Vice Chancellor at the University of Bath said:

“Swindon has huge potential to become a hub where universities and industry collaborate to drive growth and investment.

“With strong partnerships and initiatives such as the Brunel Centre, the University of Bath can play a key role in supporting skills, research and innovation for the area — generating the evidence and ideas that will help underpin sustainable growth and benefit local people.”