Andy Munns
Improvement works have started at Fisherton Gateway, the first significant investment in Salisbury city centre through the government’s Future High Streets Fund.
The improvement works include widening pavements, introducing new street lighting, enhancing landscaping, improving street furniture and wayfinding, and introducing continuous footpaths at junctions to enhance pedestrian priority.
Last week the contractor, Milestone Infrastructure, set up their site compound. From Sunday, 6 August 2023, traffic barriers will be installed, creating a one-way system from South Western Road down Fisherton Street to the junction of Fisherton Street and High Street.
This one-way system enables work to continue safely and will be in place for the duration of the works, which are anticipated to be completed summer of 2024.
The work will be carried out in phases, with the first covering the area between Malthouse Lane and Summerlock Approach. This work will start on 7 August 2023 and will be completed around November 2023.
Towards the end of August, a second phase of works will start between Summerlock Approach and South Western Road. It is anticipated this phase will be completed around December 2023.
Cllr Caroline Thomas, Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “One of our key priorities is to have vibrant, well-connected communities, and this scheme will deliver improvements for residents, businesses and visitors as well provide long-term economic benefits for Salisbury. Road improvements of this scale do cause some disruption and we apologise for any inconvenience in advance.
“Our contractor will remain in close contact with businesses in the area that are most affected by the phases of works to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.
“I would like to reassure everyone that Fisherton Street is very much open for business, and I would encourage residents and visitors to make full use of the retail and coffee shops available.
“Drivers should plan ahead and allow extra time for journeys as people get used to the one-way system and diversion route. This may also be an opportunity to consider alternative modes of transport, including our Park and Ride.
For those using buses, Salisbury Reds have published details of the Fisherton Street bus stops, which will be temporarily moved from Sunday 6 August on www.salisburyreds.co.uk.
Regular updates on the changes to the traffic management arrangements as the project progresses will be available on the council’s website www.wiltshire.gov.uk.
Local people and visitors are encouraged to follow the existing signed routes to enter/exit the car parks in the immediate vicinity.
Entry/exit to Culver Street and the Old George Mall Car Parks are unaffected by the works in Fisherton Street.
Lewis Cowley, Milestone Infrastructure’s Regional Director, added: “We are delighted to be mobilising to carry out the works on Fisherton Street.
“This comes at the end of months of discussion with Wiltshire Council to ensure that we deliver a safe and cost-effective construction phase to this project, while minimising disruption to Salisbury and in particular the businesses on Fisherton Street.”
