Still time to have your say on Salisbury's River Park project
Scheme aims to protect the city centre from flooding and create a riverside green space for people
The River Park project is a joint scheme between Wiltshire Council and the Environment Agency, which firstly aims to protect around 250 homes and 100 businesses in Salisbury from flooding.
It's needed because new modelling shows the risk of flooding in the city centre is greater than was first envisaged.
The city has suffered to serious bouts of flooding in 2013 and 2014, whilst back in 1915 water stayed for about six months!
In simple terms, the project aims to reduce the flood risk by creating a corridor each side of the River Avon which will act as a mini flood plain protecting a large area of the city centre.
A new park will be created to the north and south of the city with plenty of riverside green space and urband wildlife habitats for residents and visitors to enjoy in the fuure.
The first phase of the project will provide "critical" flood prevention measures and environmental improvements in Salisbury's central car park, the Ashley Road Open space and Fisherton Recreation Ground.
That's been described by Dave Milton from Wiltshire Council as creating a 'green lung' for the city.
Overall there will be 13 hectares of what's described as "high quality public space" including a new seated area off Water Lane in Fisherton Street, with 2 hectares of improved riverside habitat.
Dave Milton said:
"It's a generous bit of parkland which will stand the city in good stead. It will allow kiosks, it will allow public interaction with the water and it will certainly allow people to appreciate and experience the water. It can be somewhere you go and meet friends.
"The further north you look at the River Park area the wilder it will be ,the more ecological it will be. The concept is you get towards the city centre, towards the Maltings it becomes more of a urban river with outside seating and hopefully food and beverage outlets."
Emma Baker, Wessex Area Director, Environment Agency, said:
"The Salisbury River Park project has real potential to be transformational and provide a lasting legacy for future generations, from reducing flood risk to improving green spaces. We are very excited about this project and are keen to hear what people think about the plans."
You can read the full plans on Wiltshire Council's website.
The consultation runs until 5.00pm on Friday (8th January).