Salisbury Coach Park, along with the main footpaths through the Central Car Park area, will reopen to the public today, after undergoing an extensive makeover by the Environment Agency as part of the River Park scheme.

It comes slightly later than planned after some set-backs including a sewage leak and wet weather, which have pushed the completion date back.

Extra work also took place at the beginning of October. 

Salisbury Coach Park (Image: Spencer Mulholland)Salisbury Coach Park (Image: Spencer Mulholland) (Image: Spencer Mulholland) But coach passengers arriving in Salisbury city centre can now enjoy "enhanced facilities and a more welcoming experience".

Located at Mill Stream Approach, the drop off coach park provides six coach spaces designated for drop off/pick up only.

An additional ten spaces for coach layovers are available at the Layover Coach Park within the Central Car Park.

The Coach Park makeover includes improved drainage, lighting, clear wayfinding and attractive landscaping, featuring the planting of native species of trees and shrubs. A small pocket park has been created south of the Elai Restaurant.

A welcome area with seating and an information board has been created close to the new foot bridge. The Coach Park toilet block now showcases a vibrant mural from local artist, Fred Fieber, which represents the ecology within the rivers local to Salisbury.

As part of this work the Mill Stream Approach Bridge will also be reopened to traffic on 14 November, with traffic flow restored to the Approach Road to the Central Car Park from the A36.

At present car traffic is still being allowed to enter the Central Car Park from Avon Approach, but that will shortly be returned as an access for HGVs only.

Councillor Tamara Reay, Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said, “We are delighted the Coach Park works have been finished to such a high standard offering a great first impression for people visiting Salisbury.

“To maximise Salisbury’s potential as a prime destination and to boost our visitor economy, it is important we provide high quality facilities for coaches and passengers eager to explore our historic medieval city.”

The Environment Agency will continue to have a presence in the Central Car park over the coming months whilst final elements of the scheme and snagging issues are picked up. There will also be further seasonal works to be completed in Spring 2025 to complete the final scheme. 

Ron Curtis, Environment Agency Wessex Area Flood Risk Manager, said, “The Environment Agency is pleased to have been able to complete this element of the River Park Project alongside Wiltshire Council and Salisbury City Council.

"Alongside the benefits it will bring to visitors to Sailsbury it will help reduce flood risk and improve the water quality within the River Avon. We look forward to now seeing the remaining elements of work completed in the other parts of the River Park scheme.”