PEDESTRIANISATION, light-rail and increased cycle routes around the city have all been recommended to Wiltshire Council as part of the Salisbury Transport Strategy Refresh.

Salisbury City Council (SCC) last week agreed its response to the plans, which aim to improve and update transport links around the city, as well as becoming more environmentally friendly and appealing to visitors.

SCC said it was “keen to see increased pedestrianisation” in the city centre, and said previous pedestrianisation in the past decade has been “widely successful, helping local business, shops and leisure outlets to expand”.

It suggested creating access for buses and taxis within the Maltings redevelopment, between Fisherton Street and Castle Street, so Silver Street and Minster Street can become fully pedestrianised, “allowing people to explore the medieval heart of the city more easily, attracting more visitors and tourists and bringing more money into the local economy”, SCC said.

The response also said that, while the proposed relocation and redevelopment of Churchfields Industrial Estate has been deferred until after 2026, SCC “remains extremely concerned that heavy goods vehicles will continue to travel through Salisbury.

It suggested height and weight restrictions be applied to Crane Bridge Road and other key routes into the city to reduce congestion and pollution.

The plans also highlight the need for increased use of the Park and Road service, by extending opening hours, and more funding for pedestrian and cycling schemes around the city.

SCC said it was “disappointed” that earlier representations to Wiltshire Council about an integrated transport hub for rail and bus users, and a light rail access from Salisbury to Wilton, Porton and Amesbury “have been ignored”. “At a time of growing concern over the level of traffic congestion, this could provide an extremely useful link for commuting from the north of the city,” SCC said.

It said it would allow Salisbury to develop as a tourist city while encouraging public transport use.

The SCC said the outcomes of the transport strategy should be to maintain the vibrancy of the city centre, make it a nicer place to visit, encourage more activities and attractions, ease pedestrian flow and become a low-carbon city. It said: “Salisbury is in competition with Bath, Winchester, Bournemouth and Southampton, and to pull in new business and attractions, and to re-launch itself as an international tourist destination, there needs to be a comprehensive overhaul of the city centre to complement what is arguably the finest provincial Market Square and historic surrounds in the country.”