Multiple Salisbury roadworks branded 'unacceptable' by bus operator
Salisbury Reds say they're 'experiencing substantial delays'
Last updated 28th Jun 2023
A number of roadworks around Salisbury is causing traffic issues at the moment (Tuesday 27th June) - with the city's bus operator calling it a 'real challenge'.
Three way lights on Wilton Road in particular mean some Salisbury Reds services are facing 'substantial delays'.
There's also problems on Castle Road, due to works outside the Co-Op, and Rampart Road - a popular cut through for drivers looking to avoid Churchill Way towards the A338 and Southampton Road - is closed to traffic.
Temporary traffic lights are also in place on Fisherton Street and Ashley Road.
Salisbury Reds has called the planning of roadworks by Wiltshire Council and National Highways to happen at the same time as 'unacceptable'.
General Manager Andrew Sherrington said:
“Unfortunately, we are experiencing substantial delays to our services along Wilton Road, due to the three-way lights currently in place here.
“These, and the sheer volume of roadworks in Salisbury at the moment, are presenting us with a real challenge to maintain our published timetable for buses along affected routes. I am urging Wiltshire Council and National Highways to intervene, and review all planned works to help reduce these unacceptable levels of disruption.
“I’d like to assure those travelling with us that our team is working very hard to minimise the effects of these issues, and we thank our customers for their patience and understanding.”
National Highways response
There's now been a response on the situation from National Highways. A spokesperson's told us:
"As we’re responsible for the A36, National Highways allowed roadspace for emergency gas repairs to take place earlier this year, and we’re currently permitting roadspace for developers to operate traffic signals along the Wilton Road to enable access to a housing construction site.
"We do put stipulations in place for any third party work and in this instance, the signals are being operated manually to avoid any significant build-up in traffic, and we anticipate that the traffic management will be removed imminently and well ahead of the school holiday period."