A36 Salisbury traffic jams now a 'priority'
Other city road improvements 'paused' as search for solution changes
Last updated 13th Mar 2022
Wiltshire Council and National Highways have changed the way they're looking at problems caused by horrendous traffic jams on the A36 in Salisbury.
The notorious route is part of the strategic network, managed and maintained by National Highways, and the two parties are in regular contact to improve traffic issues.
National Highways (and Wiltshire Council), is prioritising Southampton Road and College Roundabout, and is currently working on an Option Assessment Report (OAR) for this part of the road. That will look at various solutions to improve traffic flows and cut congestion.
A number ideas for improvements have been identified, which are being tested using traffic modelling to see whether they'd even be effective. The two authorities are also undertaking traffic surveys to provide up-to-date traffic flows data.
Once their report's been completed, National Highways will report its findings and recommendations to Wiltshire Council, before checking feasibility, value for money and design works that would move the scheme forward.
OTHER ROAD IMPROVEMENTS PAUSED
As part of the same plan to reduce traffic issues in the city, Wiltshire Council has decided to pause its Salisbury Junction Improvements project, which looks to improve Exeter Street Roundabout, Harnham Gyratory and Park Wall junction – three junctions that are part of the council’s highways network.
Public consultation on the plans in July 2021 raised concerns about the signalisation of Exeter Street Roundabout, and this feedback, along with DfT’s recent Spending Review, means that the council has decided to look at a different, improved scheme for Salisbury, while still focusing on other major highways projects in Wiltshire.
The council will now look at other ways to improve these key junctions in Salisbury, and will bring forward a new scheme, which will better reflect the results of the public consultation.
A36 TRAFFIC JAMS - CAN'T BE SOLVED OVERNIGHT
Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Transport, said:
“We’re committed to improving the traffic situation in Salisbury, and we’re pleased to be working in partnership with National Highways to do this. These changes won’t happen overnight, but they show great progress in improving congestion on the A36 in the city for the long term."
“As well as these A36 improvements, we have also decided to pause our Salisbury Junction scheme following public feedback to the consultation. This project looked at junctions that form part of our highways network, rather than those controlled by National Highways."
“We won’t now be taking forward this project in its current form. Instead, we will be looking to proceed with a different scheme that better reflects the views of residents and draws on different funding streams. We hope to have more information on this later this year.”
Neil Winter, A36 Route Manager for National Highways, said:
“As part of our continuing commitment to improving congestion on the A36 through Salisbury, we’re currently developing a number of schemes to achieve this. Our priority is Southampton Road and College Roundabout, and we’ve identified several options which we will be assessed in terms of their effectiveness to improve congestion, delays and journey time reliability."
“Building on schemes we’ve already undertaken on the A36 in Salisbury, we’re working closely with Wiltshire Council and we’ll be undertaking traffic surveys shortly to help inform any future interventions and to ensure they are feasible and fit for purpose.”