'Transformational' Salisbury River Park nears completion
The scheme is enhancing the city as well as protecting hundreds of homes from flood risk
Last updated 13th Sep 2024
We've been getting a look at the progress of the Salisbury River Park project, as the scheme nears completion.
The work, which will reduce flood risk to over 350 homes in the city, is also transforming parts of the city into thriving natural areas for people and wildlife to enjoy.
It's expected to open in a few weeks time.
We joined numerous dignitaries on a guided tour, led by the Environment Agency - which featured Salisbury MP John Glen, Wiltshire Council Leader Richard Clewer, Mayor of Salisbury Sven Hocking and a number of other local representatives.
Environment Agency chair, Alan Lovell, said: “Salisbury River Park is testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in tackling the challenges of climate change, flood risk and habitat restoration.
“Through strong partnerships, we have improved flood resilience in central Salisbury, delivered significant environmental benefits along its vital watercourses and boosted community well-being with new urban green space."
Construction on the redevelopment began in 2022 and spans across the city from Ashley Road and Fisherton Rec to Central Car Park, creating two hectares of enhanced riverside habitat and 13 hectares of improved public open space.
The project included work on:
• Building new flood embankments and flood walls through Fisherton Recreation Ground and along Ashley Road, up to 1.4m high
• Creating a new channel and wetland area through Fisherton, complete with new boardwalks, play areas and planting
• Creating a 50m wide green park through the Central Car Park area to allow for flood waters when needed
• Creating over 650m of new and improved cycle routes and 1,600m of footpaths to improve access to the area and encourage more active travel
John Glen, MP for Salisbury and South Wiltshire, said: "I'm very proud we've got this investment here, obviously it was driven by the flood risk, but the consequential uplift to the natural environment is in line with everyone's dreams and aspirations for the city."
The Dean of Salisbury, Nick Papadopulos, told us he couldn't have imagined the transformation these parts of the city have undergone while he used the area in it's former state for walks during the COVID lockdown in 2020.
Mayor of Salisbury, Sven Hocking, said: "The very aesthetics of this part of the city are going to be changed completely, it's going to be absolutely stunning. It just needs the winter to come and go, a couple of seasons to bed in, and it will be transformational."
Wiltshire Council Leader, Richard Clewer, told us the city can start living up to it's potential: "It's making Salisbury the place that it should be, it's already a wonderful city, this is enhancing it and dealing with those bits that previously hadn't been properly opened up."