Plans for Salisbury Station and Fisherton Gateway upgrades revealed
Wiltshire Council now wants to know what we think
Last updated 9th Mar 2022
We've been getting more details about how some 'transformational' projects for parts of Salisbury city centre could look.
Wiltshire Council wants to redesign the forecourt outside the city's railway station, and make improvements to the Fisherton Street area.
The authority's been given £9.4 million towards the schemes, from the Government's Future High Streets Fund.
WHAT'S PLANNED?
The Salisbury Station project aims to make the front of our railway station 'more attractive and accessible for visitors and residents'.
It includes a different layout for things like passenger drop offs, more disabled parking spaces, a bigger shared use pathway linking the station to Mill Road and Churchfields along with a new crossing point, electric car charging bays and bike parking being tripled.
There'd be new landscaping, street lighting and bus shelters installed.
For the Fisherton Gateway, we can expect 'improvements to the road network and public spaces along South Western Road and Fisherton Street'.
That will include wider footpaths, artwork to disguise utility boxes, more cycle parking and extra benches.
Landscaping and improved pedestrian areas are aimed at making it safe and more convenient to get into the city centre from the train station.
Wiltshire Council say the projects will 'reinvigorate the city centre', to make the area more welcoming for residents and visitors, supporting local businesses, and 'enhancing the city's reputation as a destination of choice for tourists'.
There's now a six week consultation on the plans, so we can let Wiltshire Council know what we think.
That's now underway, with comments invited until 5pm on Tuesday 19th April.
Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Transport, said:
“The Future High Streets Funded projects seek to embrace Salisbury’s classically original charm and we are really pleased to share the proposals for both Fisherton Gateway and the Station Forecourt with the local community.
“From a sense of arrival at the proposed redeveloped station forecourt to a sense of place at Fisherton Street with its diverse range of independent businesses. We would encourage people to take a look at the leaflet on our webpage www.wiltshire.gov.uk/fhsf-salisbury before completing the survey.
“By sharing their views through the survey, local people have an opportunity to take an active part in how the city develops and enhances its reputation as a tourist destination for years to come. These projects are a great way of supporting our local communities and creating a more vibrant, diverse city as we look to encourage more people to stay longer and increase their spend in our beautiful city centre.”
Some of the funding will also be used to redeveloping a vacant listed building and create apartments in unoccupied spaces above shops. Details of that project haven't yet been released.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
We can complete the survey on the Wiltshire Council website.
You can also get a hard copy from the Bourne Hill Council offices, from libraries in Salisbury, Amesbury, Downton, Durrington or Wilton, or by calling Wiltshire Council customer services on 0300 456 0100.
Two public webinars on the plans are also due to be held on Wednesday 16th and Monday 21st March, both starting at 6.00pm.
They'll be held on Microsoft Teams and we can register to attend by emailing communications@wiltshire.gov.uk