A round-up of the Salisbury River Park Project 2023

Work to mitigate high river flows began at Ashley Road with a flood defence wall created.  A new river channel and wetland area at Fisherton Recreation ground was excavated and flood embankments created.

Water voles were safely trapped and relocated to an area outside of Ringwood and a further 76 captive bred voles were released in August to ensure a successful population. 

The River Avon channel was also widened and reprofiled. 

River of Life (Image: Wiltshire Council)

Environment Agency Flood Risk Manager, Ron Curtis, said “It has been great to see the progress of this vital project over the last year, and especially to see how involved the community have been able to get in the works."

A new deck for the Mill Stream Approach road bridge was lifted into place in July which should be ready in the early part of 2024. Rock weirs were also constructed to enable fish to move up and downstream and the channel was reopened in October. 

Hand-made tables and chairs (Image: Wiltshire Council)

Footpaths have also been installed at Fisherton Recreation Ground and to the north of the coach park.  The last pedestrian footbridge linking the coach park to Central Car Park (part funded from the £458,000 award from the Active Travel Fund Tranche 4) is due for completion in January. 

These will all be open to pedestrians and cyclists in 2024 forming part of the improved riverside path.

Bridge (Image: Wiltshire Council)Read more: Salisbury River Park - Ripple Effect exhibition

A living Willow Bulb sculpture was crafted to create a more secluded part of Fisherton Recreation site with locally felled trees turned into three sets of tables and benches. All  created by artist Zac Newham. 

Zac also held sessions with school children at Sarum St Paul's to create the River of Life artwork and artist Fred Fieber painted a mural on the coach park toilet block based on local flora and fauna. 

Additional art will be unveiled in 2024.  

Sarum St Paul's school pupils participated in a competition to design a logo, draw a picture or write a poem inspired by local wildlife. Winning designs were integrated into the new playground. 

New mural (Image: Wiltshire Council)Read more: Work to begin on Salisbury Coach Park

Wiltshire Council cabinet member for transport, street scene and flooding, Cllr Caroline Thomas, said: “It’s quite unbelievable how much work has actually been completed to date from large infrastructure works to various types and styles of public art.

“So, what can we expect next year? We will see the improvement works to the coach park start as well as creating the new pocket park in the central car park.

"The new multi-use games area in Fisherton Rec will start to be built along with the play area by Ashley Road. Landscaping works will also start continuing into Spring 2024. This all leads up to a grand opening event in the summer."