AN extra lane and changes to road markings are among proposals to cut traffic at two busy Salisbury junctions.
Wiltshire Council wants to alter junctions on the Harnham Gyratory road and at the Exeter Street roundabout, to ‘increase traffic capacity, reduce journey times and improve pedestrian and cycling shared use facilities’.
The council said the scheme has been revised following feedback from residents and includes a new southbound lane at Harnham Gyratory to increase capacity and reduce congestion, with changes to the road markings at the Exeter Street roundabout.
A shared use pedestrian/cycling path that runs from the southern side of New Bridge to Harnham Gyratory would be widened, with the path moving into green space, without adversely affecting trees.
As part of the proposed works, the bus stop on New Bridge Road would be moved, with a new pedestrian/cyclist priority crossing built on Britford Lane.
Two new toucan crossings would also be installed, along with upgrades to existing crossings and widened footpaths.
Cllr Caroline Thomas, cabinet member for transport, said: “This scheme aims to improve traffic flows on Harnham Gyratory to reduce congestion, while also making it safer for pedestrians and cyclists to travel along this well-used route into the city centre.
“We’re planning to create an additional lane at Harnham Gyratory to increase capacity and also widen and extend the shared use cycling and walking path to enable more people to walk and cycle into the city with confidence.
“We are working closely with National Highways, which manages the A36 and is working on its own projects to reduce congestion on Southampton Road, to ensure that this scheme complements National Highways’ work.
“We will also be engaging with local stakeholders, such as Salisbury City Council, affected residents, utility companies and walking and cycling groups to seek their views on the proposals.
“The next step for the scheme is for us to work on detailed designs, which we aim to complete in early 2024 and as the plan progresses, we’ll present regular updates at Salisbury Area Board meetings.”
FFS. The issue is clearing traffic routes, not weekend lycra cowboys. Get the traffic moving and solve the pollution issue.
Great idea but madness to start anything else in Salisbury that affects traffic until the river project and Fisherton st are finished as it’s total mayhem at the moment and we don’t need anymore disruption.
We’re I live get traffic less I live top brambles London road were being poisoned even chestnut 🌰 trees show how high pollution walk out my flat really need a mask highest pollution in area get less traffic here I’m feeling this my health they do nothing
This won’t be necessary if someone would bite the bullet and build a proper bypass away from the city. Yes it will be very expensive and entail a number of bridges but by far the best solution in terms of our physical safety and air pollution. These many smaller and expensive projects are not financially sensible as they are merely the sticking plaster to a bigger problem.
There must be someone with the drive and necessary influence who can persuade the government to support this difficult bypass financially to reduce risk to life and to save a beautiful medieval city. We have the technology and expertise, we just don’t have a government willing to finance it.