Inside Salisbury: Coach park to open today!
Extensive city centre makeover comes to a close
by Annette J Beveridge
AN EXTENSIVE makeover in the city centre is finally coming to a close.
The Coach Park and main footpaths through the Central Car Park will reopen to the public today (Thursday, November 14) after undergoing considerable work by the Environment Agency (EA) as part of the River Park scheme.
Coach passengers arriving in Salisbury city centre can now enjoy enhanced facilities and a more welcoming experience. There are six coach spaces designated for drop off/pick up only. Ten spaces for coach layovers are available at the Layover Coach Park located within the Central Car Park.
Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Councillor Tamara Reay, 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 makeover includes improved drainage, lighting, clear wayfinding and attractive landscaping, while featuring the planting of native species of trees and shrubs.
A small pocket park has been created south of the Elai Restaurant and there is 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.
The Mill Stream Approach Bridge will be reopened to traffic today with traffic flow restored to the Approach Road to the Central Car Park from the A36.
Note - at present car traffic is still being allowed to enter the Central Car Park from Avon Approach, but this will shortly be returned as an access for HGVs only.
Environment Agency Wessex Area Flood Risk Manager, Ron Curtis, 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 Salisbury, 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.”
The EA will continue to have a presence in the Central Car park over the coming months to ensure final elements and snagging issues are picked up. There will also be further seasonal works to be completed in Spring 2025 to complete the final scheme.