Work on Salisbury Station revamp to commence next week

The disruption is due to a £5.8 million revamp, aiming to create a more “welcoming and “accessible” experience for visitors and residents. Work is expected to take approximately one year.

Officials answered questions about the scheme at a public event in April. Paul Shaddock, senior traffic engineer at Wiltshire Council, said one long-awaited improvement is a more convenient interchange from rail to bus transport for passengers, with the new interchange providing three bus stops.

Site preparation works will start on Monday, June 3, and from Monday, June 10, all standard pay and display parking on the forecourt will be removed. Parking at the western end of the car park will remain open.

Alternative parking will be temporarily available at Central Car Park, where current short-stay parking will be changed to long-stay parking. Later this year, parking on Fisherton Street, next to the Royal Mail delivery office, will be opened for passengers.

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Blue badge parking will still be available on the Salisbury station forecourt throughout the works, as well as taxi bays, Stonehenge bus and rail replacement bus services.

Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for transport councillor Tamara Reay, said: “As we gear up to start these important improvements, we are asking rail customers to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys.

“A scheme of this nature will cause some disruption so by being prepared we hope Salisbury Railway Station will continue to operate effectively. This is the second scheme being funded by the £9.4 million investment via the government’s Future High Streets Fund and supports our Business Plan to create and support well-connected, vibrant city centres.”

The main enhancement work will be carried out in three phases including extensive landscaping featuring the planting of trees and shrubs, installation of modern street furniture, and implementation of wayfinding systems along with more sustainable travel facilities including a bus interchange.

Regional development manager for South Western Railway (SWR) Andrew Ardley added: “SWR is very grateful for the substantial financial and time commitment that Wiltshire Council has made in investing in our station forecourt.

“The scheme will make a real difference to our customers and will make the station a high-quality gateway which the city can be proud of. The changes will also enable us to have new direct local buses connecting with rail services which we know is really important to our customers.

“The scheme complements other recent improvements at the station including the refurbished waiting rooms, station re-painting and improvements to the subway which we hope to complete in the near future.”