Future High Streets Fund: £9 million investment work starting soon

Wiltshire Council secured £9,355,301 worth of funding in December 2020 to improve Salisbury.

It came as part of the government's Future High Streets Fund to renew town centres and help them recover from the pandemic.

Salisbury is among 72 places across the country that will benefit from the £831m pot of funding money.

The first scheme to come forward is Fisherton Gateway which aims to improve the road network and public spaces along South Western Road and Fisherton Street.

Read more: ​Salisbury Civic Society response to Future High Street Fund projects

A public event is being planned later in April when the final design will be shared and any queries residents and businesses may have can be answered before construction work starts in the summer.

The redesign of Salisbury Station Forecourt to make it more attractive and accessible is also moving forward and the final design will be shared at a public event prior to the main construction works starting later in the year.

Councillor Caroline Thomas, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “A lot of hard work has gone into developing these detailed designs since last year’s public consultation and I’m pleased we will soon be able to share these, together with some of the construction plans currently being worked on, with the public over the coming weeks."

Cllr Thomas said the schemes will be starting on-site "soon", adding: "These schemes support Wiltshire Council’s Business Plan and our aim of creating and supporting vibrant city centres that help the local economy and encourage the growth of business activity in a sustainable way.

"They will also help ensure Salisbury remains a thriving and vibrant tourist location where both residents and tourists can support local businesses, especially the fantastic independent and creative artisans which this modern medieval city is renowned for.”

The council said details of the public events will be confirmed as soon as possible.