Wiltshire Council makes a decision on Exeter Street roundabout improvements

Wiltshire Council has made a decision on which junction improvement for Exeter Street roundabout they are going to put to the Department for Transport (DfT).

From the 17th June – 18th July, the council held a public consultation on the proposals to improve the three junctions at Exeter Street Roundabout, Harnham Gyratory and Park Wall Junction.

At Exeter Street, the council offered two potential options for people to give their views on. Option 1 would mean that motor vehicles would exit and enter the junction as they do in the existing layout, while Option 2 would involve a new arm next to the cathedral wall and it would require the removal of up to three trees.

After considering the responses to the consultation, the council has decided not to include Option 2 in its submission to the Department for Transport (DfT), and it will proceed with Option 1.

The council will also look into the need or otherwise for a signal-controlled pedestrian and cycling crossing of Churchill Way South. A report on the findings of the consultation will be presented to the area board.

Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “We’re preparing an outline business case for the Salisbury junction improvements project, and the responses we received to the consultation will help to shape that – which is why we’ve listened to local residents and chosen Option 1 at Exeter Street.

“We know we can’t resolve all of Salisbury’s traffic problems with this scheme, but we can make a difference to the roads that we are responsible for, and that is why we’re planning to make these changes to improve capacity at the junctions for motorists, while also making them safer for cyclists and walkers. We’ll also continue to work with National Highways, which manages the A36, to improve the flow of traffic in and around the city.

“We received a total of 1,214 comments on different aspects of the scheme, with 290 people and organisations taking the time to complete the online questionnaire and a further 67 people sending us emails with their comments.

“We’re now undertaking further traffic modelling and economic assessments to ensure the outline business case, which will be submitted to DfT in December, is as robust as it can be. We’ll also be holding further consultation on the scheme as it progresses“.

To find out more about the project click here.

Image: Google Maps Street View