SWINDON Robins co-owner Terry Russell is relieved that the prolonged saga over the club’s new Abbey Stadium at Blunsdon looks to have finally come to an end.

While the move was never in doubt for Russell, yesterday’s confirmation that the finer details of the planning process have now been approved has ticked the final box for Swindon’s new home.

Stadium owners Gaming International have said that work should now start imminently after the reserved matters were resolved with Swindon Borough Council.

While it was hoped that the Robins would have been riding in their new home this year, Gaming International expect the keys to the new facility to be handed over by next March.

“It is great news and has been a long time coming,” Russell told the Advertiser.

“I have been in contact with Gaming International throughout and I have been confident and had no doubts that it would happen.

“The thing is, everyone else needs that confirmation and it is great that we finally have that.

“The contractors are going to come in, work is going to start now and we have got a hand-over date.

“We will get involved in the building of the new track and the fence and everything else that goes into the new facility.

“We have been involved in the whole process for the last two years so we know exactly what we’ve got to do and what we are going to do.

“That will keep us busy throughout the winter months and we will look forward to being on that new track.”

The announcement means that Alun Rossiter’s side will be riding at their new home next season, with Russell prepared for the team to start the 2017 campaign on the road if needs be.

However, the Robins owner is concentrating on this season, with Swindon losing 51-39 away to Wolverhampton Wolves last night, and hopes that the side can finish their time at their current home on a high.

“I can’t have another farewell meeting and of course I won’t, but the fact is that when we do our last meeting, it will be our last one at the Abbey as it is now,” he added.

“They are due to hand it over in March and we will be in there and will delay our start and race away from home until the new facility is ready.

“It is nice that we are not being booted out of the new stadium before the new one is built and it is not a big move, it is next door.

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could make the play-offs and do the business in this final year in the stadium, which is what we are concentrating on at the moment.”

Clarke Osborne, CEO at Gaming International said: “We have plans to keep the disruption to our customers at a minimum during the construction and I ask that everyone allows a little more time to arrive and park when attending a function.”

Justin Tomlinson, MP for Swindon North, added: “This has indeed been a long road, but we are finally at the point of starting work on a new stadium and I want to thank everyone concerned in getting here.

“This is a prime example of the council working closely with operators and developers to make things happen and bring brand new, modern leisure facilities to Swindon.''