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Pennine Way, SWINDON, SN25 4FX

The area north of the established areas of Penhill and Haydon Wick and south of the village of Blunsdon is known generically as the Northern Expansion Area. It has been under development for several years from the early 1990s. Within the NEA are individual sub-areas with names such as St Andrew's Ridge, Redhouse and Priory Vale. I suspect they are mostly marketing-inspired though with a nod to existing names and features. Sadly, I can't remember many of them. In this view we can see the open space between St Andrew's Ridge behind the viewpoint and, I think, Redhouse, outside this square. The marker at the right indicates the presence of a bridleway.

As the notice explains, developers starting work here unearthed the course of a Roman road, which led to this area being preserved as a park.

Pennine Way meanders through the St Andrew's Ridge part of the Northern Expansion Area with smaller roads leading from it. It is all very artfully laid out with a minimum of straight lines. Here we can see a modern terrace of houses deliberately designed to have different roof heights.

Typical of the mis-matches produced in the rapid expansion of Swindon in recent times. A 'city-style' apartment block overlooks a 'lego-style' primary school.

One of several new pubs built to serve the incoming population of north Swindon.

Lady Lane is an old country road leading to the village of Blunsdon, which has now been engulfed for much of its length, by the ongoing massive northern expansion of Swindon. Here it is about to plough through some new residential estates. The roundabout is at the junction of Lady Lane with Sandstone Road, and Pennine Way. On the pillars are 20 mph speed restriction signs. These are frequently found in Swindon's new residential areas, and probably will eventually become the norm everywhere.