People Friendly Salisbury scheme to be suspended indefinitely

After Salisbury City Council refused to confirm their support for the scheme moving forwards, Wiltshire Council say they have taken the decision to suspend it.

Salisbury BID had also requested it to be stopped after calls from local businesses.

The local authority say that the "explicit lack of support" from the city council and BID means they are unable to continue with People Friendly Salisbury at this time.

It will be halted indefinitely from the end of this month.

Cllr Philip Whitehead, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said:

"We are very disappointed and surprised that Salisbury City Council will not offer their continued support for People Friendly Salisbury. The scheme delivers to the objectives of the Central Area Framework for people friendly streets as well as the city council's climate change ambitions. The city council were pivotal to the scheme being introduced and previously provided clear backing for this important scheme.

The People Friendly Salisbury initiative was implemented as part of the council's wider strategy to support Salisbury and was an excellent way to help reduce traffic within the city, improve air quality and give pedestrians priority in the city centre. It was designed to help transform the city, making it a more attractive place to visit, shop and work. Early evidence proves that the scheme is having a positive impact with equal number of shoppers visiting the centre whilst the traffic is halved. As with other such schemes elsewhere in the UK, more time would have been required to see all the economic, social and environmental benefits.

We know that many residents and businesses are advocates of this initiative and Wiltshire Council remains committed to the scheme. However, unfortunately without the continued support of partners and stakeholders, at this time we cannot continue with People Friendly Salisbury."

WHAT IS PEOPLE FRIENDLY SALISBURY?

The scheme saw a Low Traffic Zone installed in the city centre, meaning only authorised vehicle were able to access roads like Catherine Street, Bridge Street and Blue Boar Row.

It started on the 21st of October, as a plan to make Salisbury a "more attractive place to live, work, visit and shop".

In total the project was going to cost over £2.3 million.

PLEA TO HALT SCHEME

Salisbury City Council and the BID were not the only ones against the scheme.

Last week, MP John Glen asked for it to be put on hold due to the timing of it and the affect of the pandemic.

He's tweeted about the latest development:

Meanwhile many businesses had expressed their concerns, with a Facebook page called "Save Our Salisbury" set up for people who wanted the plans to be overturned.

In less than a month, the page gathered over 2,000 members.