A WELL-USED footbridge in one of Salisbury’s best-loved parks is set to be replaced after councillors approved funding to move the project forward.

Salisbury City Council has agreed to transfer the remaining £39,830 of Section 106 funding linked to Queen Elizabeth Gardens into its general reserves to help fund the replacement of at least one ageing footbridge in the park.

The decision was approved by Full Council at a meeting on Tuesday (May 26), paving the way for work to be included in the council’s 2026/27 budget.

The bridges, which have become a familiar feature of Queen Elizabeth Gardens, are believed to pre-date the park’s major refurbishment in 2010, although their exact installation date is unknown.

Council officers have already spent £5,720 from the original funding pot on structural surveys, drawings and plans to assess the condition of the bridges and explore replacement options.

The council said replacing the structure is important not only to maintain public access through the park but also to safeguard the long-term future of one of Salisbury’s most popular green spaces.

Queen Elizabeth Gardens, close to the city centre and River Avon, attracts walkers, families and visitors throughout the year.

Councillor Sam Charleston, leader of Salisbury City Council, said: “Starting this work now will help to ensure the future of Queen Elizabeth Gardens as a community hub for residents to enjoy.”

The funding forms part of a legally binding planning agreement, with the council now expected to progress plans for replacing at least one of the park’s ageing bridges.