Castle Road gas work closure extended

Engineers working on the gas network in the road now expect to complete the work by Sunday, 25th February, eight more days than were previously estimated.

On the extension of the road closure, a spokesperson for SGN said, "Due to the location of the pipe within the northbound lane and to allow a safe distance for southbound traffic on Castle Road, we will need to close one of the southbound lanes. This will mean during phase two there will be no access northbound on Castle Road/A245 for the duration of the work, the planned completion date is 25 February.

"Please accept our apologies for the disruption these essential works are causing and thank you for your patience and understanding."

The official diversion for motorists is to travel out on London Road via Cholderton and Amesbury and then head back into Salisbury.

The closure has been causing extra traffic on Ashely Road, St Marks Avenue and London Road, with local drivers using residential and backroads to avoid the full diversion.

Buses are also being diverted, with Salisbury Reds confirming the alternative route their drivers will take to avoid the closure.

The southbound section of Castle Road is open as usual.

All buses normally using Castle Road will be subject to diversions during this time.

After Milford Hall Hotel, buses will divert using Churchill Way, St Mark’s Avenue, Somerset Road and Devonshire Road to resume normal routes from Victoria Park. The Castle Road Roundabout and Butts Road stops will not be served.

Evening & Sunday X4 journeys towards Larkhill, which normally serves Waters Road, will not be able to do so. Customers are advised to use Victoria Park or St Francis Church.

After Milford Hall Hotel, the R4 will follow the same diversion as above. However, it will be unable to serve Stratford Road or Waters Road towards Paul’s Dene. Customers for these stops are advised to remain on the bus around the Paul’s Dene loop to alight back towards the City Centre.

After Milford Hall Hotel, journeys which typically operate direct via Castle Road and Stratford Road will be subject to the above diversion and will use Waters Road to resume the normal route from Hathaway Close. Stops between Castle Road Roundabout and Hudson Road will not be served.

After Milford Hall Hotel, the 201 service will follow the same diversion as above but will then divert using Castle Road and Waters Road to resume the normal route from Hathaway Close. Stops between Castle Road Roundabout and Hudson Road will not be served.

All inbound buses towards the City Centre will be able to follow the normal route.

All school buses* serving South Wilts Grammar School will be subject to the above diversion en route to the school in the morning and will drop off at the school on the opposite side of the road. In the afternoon, buses will also pick up on the opposite side of the road (facing towards the City Centre) and will follow the normal route from there.

*Except the 15:55 X4 to Larkhill from the Grammar School – will instead pick up at Victoria Park on Castle Road.

The B2 service will begin from Victoria Park and serve the Waters Road/Stratford Road loop in reverse.

Some journeys may take longer due to the diversion, so Salisbury Reds are advising customers to allow extra time for their journeys.