Salisbury City Council supports introduction of People Friendly Scheme next year
It was discussed at a full council meeting tonight (Monday 14th December)
Last updated 15th Dec 2020
Salisbury City Councillors have backed a motion to support the the return of the People Friendly Streets scheme in 2021.
The motion was put forward by Cllr John Farquhar at a full council meeting last tonight.
It stated:
"The Salisbury City Council supports the introduction in 2021 of a People Friendly Streets Experimental Traffic Regulation Order, in accordance with phase one of the Central Area Framework report recommendations."
City Councillors narrowly voted in favour of the motion by 12 to 10.
The People Friendly Salisbury project was suspended at the end of November, just six weeks after it was installed.
Wiltshire Council says the decision was taken after what it called an "explicit lack of support" from Salisbury City Council.
The controversial scheme saw unauthorised vehicles unable to travel through the city centre with bus gates installed on Fisherton Street, Catherine Street and Castle Street.
The city council, along with MP John Glen and Salisbury BID had voiced concerns about the timing of the project with the Covid pandemic.
John Glen had also called for a wider consultation on the scheme.
REACTION FROM WILTSHIRE COUNCIL
Cllr Bridget Wayman, Cabinet Member for Highways, says they are pleased to see support again from the city Council
“We continue to support People Friendly Salisbury, and we’re pleased that Salisbury City Council has debated and agreed a motion on this important scheme."
“People Friendly Salisbury is a key part of the Salisbury Central Area Framework, a range of projects that aim to deliver an exciting and vibrant city centre well into the future.
“The scheme is about helping businesses in the city centre, as it reduces through traffic – which adds very little to the local economy – and still allows people to park in the city’s car parks as they currently do. "
“The reduction in traffic and improvement in air quality in the centre would make Salisbury a more attractive environment for shoppers, tourists and diners. Studies in other towns and cities in both Britain and Europe have shown that this type of scheme increases footfall and reduces the number of vacant shops, and this is what we want to achieve in Salisbury. "
“We will look to revisit this scheme in 2021, and will consider reinstating it with continued support from all stakeholders in the city.”