RESIDENTS have expressed their frustration at flooded underpasses in the city, saying that elderly and disabled people are unable to get through.
Salisbury Active Travel says that the underpasses at Castle Road Underpass and the Waitrose Supermarket Slip Road Subways,which are renowned for flooding, often make access difficult.
Chair of the Disability Interest Group Salisbury (DIGS) Kez Adey spoke to a member of DIGS who regularly uses the underpasses.
She said: "Lately with the flooding that is often happening in the underpasses I have had to take a longer walk to work as being blind and deaf has left me knee-deep in water more than once which is a bit unprofessional when turning up to work.
"Having to find a new way to work has also led to a number of issues including my guide dog finding a new route after years of using the same and also has left me vulnerable as I'm walking a way that I am unfamiliar with."
Local residents Dr Jimmy Walker and Scot Ramsay are calling for Wiltshire Council to "take measures to resolve these issues which have been going on far too long and deny access to the elderly, disabled and those with pushchairs who are left feeling vulnerable and unsupported by Wiltshire Council".
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Scot said: "The Castle roundabout underpass becomes flooded every time there is more than moderate rain.
"I have been late to college due to having to find an alternative route to the station."
Scot also said that he has to take a detour of over 500 metres in both directions to take his elderly mother, who is in a wheelchair, to her after-stroke exercise class at the Five Rivers Leisure Centre.
Dr Jimmy Walker, who has previously expressed frustration at flooded underpasses in Salisbury, said: "It is ironic that the flooding of the subway in Castle Roundabout is described as a minor issue that is likely due to the outfall being blocked and water not being able to drain away and the pumping station not working.
"The deviations, delays and inconvenience to active travel are just not acceptable and only last week, I only just managed to catch my train due to the flooding.
"This is not a new issue. As locals we had to pump out the underpass between Waitrose and St Paul’s as it had been flooded and no one else was dealing with it and is an underpass that has yet again been impassible in the last few weeks."
Cllr Lynn Blackwood said: "This is so frustrating and denies access to the elderly, disabled and those with pushchairs."
Cllr Al Bayliss said: "I frequently walk into the city centre and use the Castle Street underpasses on my journey.
"If there’s been any significant rain I automatically avoid the one that exits next to Nelson Way as it’s usually flooded.
"The city council is currently working with DIGS on improving accessibility in our city and hopefully will be able to engage with Wiltshire Council and National Highways SW to try and come up with a solution."
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