Speedway could return at new motorsports hub near M4

A consultation has opened into draft plans to bring speedway back to a Wiltshire town.

Swindon Motorsports Ltd, a joint venture between Swindon Speedway and Gaming International, hopes to create a motorsports hub at Studley Grange, near junction 16 of the M4.

The site would include a racing specification karting circuit and would serve as the new home of the Swindon Robins speedway team.

Terry Russell, chairman of Swindon Motorsports and Swindon Speedway, said "months of hard work" had led to this point and he hopes to get motorsports in the town "going again".

"We've secured a 99-year lease on the land to secure a long-term home for the club," Mr Russell told BBC Radio Wiltshire.

Swindon has not hosted speedway meets since 2019, when the Covid-19 pandemic stopped the 2020 season.

The new motorsports hub would include a range of commercial, business and leisure facilities - including a food and beverage outlet and a multi-use arena with an expandable capacity of up to 3,000.

The site would also include a complex of business units for office, meeting and workshop use and car parking, including electric vehicle charging points.

Mr Russell said those behind the plans wanted to create a motorsport hub that was "no further than a 40 minute drive from the present stadium".

He said their idea was to start small, with the hope of expanding the plans in the future.

Mr Russell said they hope to submit a planning application to Wiltshire Council in the spring.

"It's feasible in 2026 - it just depends, once we get the application in, how long that takes," he added.

Mr Russell said the site was ideal for the sport, as it is "away from everywhere", hopefully reducing the chance of noise complaints.

He also said he was aware the project would cost money, but felt it could be the only chance to get the speedway happening again in the not-so-distant future.

"Naturally it's always been difficult to find land and an owner who is prepared to take it," he said.

"If we have to start again, of course, it would be difficult."

The public consultation on the draft proposals will be open until 23 February.

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