The council has announced plans to permanently close a city centre street to vehicles.

Wiltshire Council has said that it is considering closing Queen Street, the street next to Guildhall Square where Nando's and Crew Clothing are.

The road is currently closed every day from 10am to 4pm, and is regularly unavailable for longer periods due to events being held in the square.

Read more: Salisbury Queen Street closure may hit independents, warns Gallery 21

The closure would allow pedestrians to walk safely along the road at all times.

The proposal will be subject to public consultation through the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process, which will begin in January.

Once this has been completed and any responses to the order have been reviewed, any permanent closure of the road would begin in spring 2022.

If it is approved, the closure would mean that buses, taxis and vehicles loading or unloading would be prohibited on Queen Street at all times, leaving the road clear for pedestrians and cyclists, as the road is part of the Route 45 of the National Cycle Network.

Deliveries to homes and businesses on the street would have to take place from Milford Street or Blue Boar Row/Winchester Street, or, in the case of businesses, through the Cross Keys shopping centre.

Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Salisbury’s Queen Street is already closed to motor vehicles during the daytime and for events, and this proposed permanent closure would be an extension of that.

“The closure would enable pedestrians to walk freely and safely along the road, as an extension of the Guildhall Square, while also maintaining a through route for cyclists as part of the National Cycle Network.

“We’ve already discussed the proposals with Salisbury City Council, but would encourage anyone who has any comments on the plans to have their say through the Traffic Regulation Order process, which will begin on January 20 and last for three weeks.

“If approved, Queen Street would be permanently closed to traffic from spring 2022.”

The consultation process will be open for the public to have their say from January 20 until February 14, at: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/troconsultations

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