AN iconic Salisbury street is set to undergo a major revamp as work is underway to improve the safety of footpaths in the city.

Wiltshire Council began work on Monday to remove the red briquettes along the whole of Butcher Row and Fish Row which will be replaced with granite blocks – similar to those used in the Market Place.

The work, which is expected to take 16 weeks and cost £550,000, will also see repairs made around the Poultry Cross.

According to Wiltshire Council the cobble channel running along the centre of Butcher Row will be kept.

Bridget Wayman, cabinet member for highways, said: “These essential works will improve the safety of footways in the city. We have targeted these particular areas as the sites which require the most care and attention.

“I’m sure everyone will be pleased with the result once the work has been completed.”

As part of the work, the stone slabs in Fish Row will be removed and replaced with paving of the same type used in Queen Street.

The stone slabs removed from Fish Row will then be used to replace missing or damaged slabs around the Poultry Cross.

Much of the improvements have been welcomed by the Salisbury Civic Society.

Chairman Peter Dunbar said: “The Civic Society is very pleased that money has been found for the repaving work which will remove unsightly tarmac repairs made as a temporary measure along Fish Row and around the Poultry Cross. This is a very necessary improvement.

“The Society is also happy with the replacement of red brick pavers with granite setts in Butcher Row between these two areas, though it might have preferred a different treatment of the stone central channel feature.

“Overall these works should significantly enhance the current appearance of this central thoroughfare in the city.”

The work is being funded by a government grant from the National Productivity Investment Fund.