The North Swindon MP, Justin Tomlinson, has joined fellow local residents to welcome the Duchess of Cornwall to the town to officially open Sir Daniel Gooch Square.Located just outside the main entrance to the station, the square has recently undergone redevelopment as part of the multi-million pound regeneration of the town centre. As part of the celebrations to mark the 175th anniversary of the Great Western Railway works in the town, it was decided the space outside the station should be named after Sir Daniel Gooch. It was Sir Daniel’s letter to Isambard Kingdom Brunel on September 13, 1840, when he was a 24-year-old railway superintendent, that set out why the engineering centre for the GWR should be built in Swindon. Her Royal Highness arrived in Swindon aboard a modern-day Great Western Railway train bearing the classic green livery and was greeted by Justin, Robert Buckland MP and representatives from Swindon Borough Council, as well as children from Robert Le Kyng Primary School. The Duchess then unveiled the plaque officially renaming then space after Sir Daniel before being driven to the Civic Offices where she was met by leaders of the council to view plans for Swindon’s future regeneration after having a drive-by tour.
The route, taking in Fleming Way was intended to give her a flavour of the town centre regeneration project.Greeted at the door of the civic offices by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Russell Holland, and Chief Executive John Gilbert, she was welcomed in to the Mayor’s where the group discussed the £750 million proposals, which are intended to transform different areas of the centre with developments including a new health centre, a bus exchange and a new museum and gallery. Justin Tomlinson MP said: "It was fantastic to welcome Duchess of Cornwall to Swindon to recognise the vital work of Sir Daniel Gooch and the 175th anniversary of the Great Western Railway works.Our town has a proud history and a bright future and I was delighted that not only did Her Royal Highness have the opportunity to pay tribute to our railway heritage, but that she had the chance to see the major regeneration plans in place for the town which also recognise the role rail played in the growth of Swindon."Paul Gentleman of Swindon175 said: “One hundred and 75 years ago the scene would have been very different. The railway works were being built and the town was going through a huge transformation - it was all down to one man. It’s a testament to Gooch that the foundations he laid in Swindon transformed this town. For a long time he has been in Brunel’s shadow and today is a major step in giving him the prominence that he so richly deserved.” Amanda Snaith, Year 3 teacher at Robert Le Kyng, said: "It's fantastic for the children to be here - we've been involved with a number of Swindon175 events already this year so it's nice for them to experience this."
