Canal Walk in Swindon, Wiltshire, is set to be transformed over the next six months as part of a £3.9m project, which will include the installation of a new water feature and living green walls.

Work will include the removal of all existing paving, street furniture and advertising hoardings in order to make way for new stone paving incorporating a ribbon feature running the entire length of the thoroughfare. The installation of lighting that changes colour depending on the weather and the relocation of the existing Golden Lion feature also form part of the project, which is being managed by The New Swindon Company (TNSC) on behalf of Swindon Borough Council (SBC).

The company behind public realm improvements as part of the St Davids 2 scheme in Cardiff, Skanska Infrastructure, has been appointed to carry out the work, which is being funded by the South West Regional Development Agency and the government's Growth Points initiative. Phil Young, SBC cabinet member for culture, regeneration and economic development, said: "Even though some of the bigger regeneration schemes have been stalled because of the national economic slowdown, we're not allowing things to stagnate in Swindon, and this scheme will start to make a real difference to the feel of the town centre."

Existing paving, benches and lighting removed from Canal Walk as part of the project will be recycled and used in other future building projects.