XRebellion Salisbury supports Salisbury City Council plans

In a letter to the Journal, the group has said it is "delighted that the city council is showing vision and imagination in its demand to Wiltshire Council".

The letter said: "We wholeheartedly throw our support behind the City Council and urge Wiltshire Council to act now."

"We are in a health crisis. In response to COVID-19, the Government has provided funds for local authorities to reallocate road space for walking and cycling to enable social distancing.

"Too many cars on the roads in our city make cyclists feel unsafe and means that pedestrians cannot keep a safe distance from each other on narrow pavements."

As part of the plans, Salisbury City Council would like to see street parking temporarily suspended on nine streets, a restriction on taxi ranks, and a stricter enforcement of the 20mph speed limit.

The letter from Extinction Rebellion adds: "We are also in a climate crisis. Wiltshire and Salisbury City Councils have both declared a climate emergency.

"The biggest contributor to climate change in the transport sector is private motor vehicles. More than 40 percent of car journeys are less than two miles.

"Promoting walking and cycling and reducing car usage in our city would be a significant step in responding to the climate emergency.

"Pedestrianisation of large parts of the city can contribute immediately to dealing with the COVID-19 crisis. And it can contribute long-term to responding to the climate emergency.

"Evidence from the charity Living Streets shows that pedestrianisation can revitalise town and city centres – pedestrians and cyclists spend more. Pedestrianisation can (and must) be achieved in ways that ensure those with disabilities are able to access facilities.

"We wait to see if Wiltshire Council has the imagination, creativity and will to act to make Salisbury a safer, healthier and more climate friendly city. If not now, when?"