Salisbury station to undergo major revamp

Salisbury Station Forecourt is to undergo a major revamp following the approval of final designs by South Western Railway and Network Rail.

The designs reflect the station’s character as well as replicating the styles and palette of materials used on the neighbouring Fisherton Gateway scheme.

It will enable the popular station to provide a more welcoming first impression to the historic cathedral city and be more accessible for visitors and residents.

This means the £5.8 million scheme can start this month.

Site preparation works will involve trial holes to confirm the location of underground utilities which will be marked out by spray painting the ground, as well as soil testing and surveys.

The main enhancement work will be carried out in three phases including extensive landscaping featuring the planting of trees and shrubs, installation of modern street furniture, and implementation of intuitive wayfinding systems along with more sustainable travel facilities such as a bus interchange. A blend of wall-mounted and pole-mounted lighting designed to ensure safe levels of lighting and security for all forecourt users is also planned.

The works will take approximately a year to complete. During this time all standard pay and display parking on the forecourt will be removed for the duration of the works, whilst parking at the western end of the car park will remain open.

Alternative parking will be temporarily available at Central Car Park, approximately a 7-minute walk away. Existing short-stay parking is being changed to long-stay parking to support rail customers, until the new station car park on Fisherton Street, next to the Royal Mail Salisbury Delivery Office, is opened later this year. Vehicular and pedestrian directional signs will also be in place to support rail customers.

Tamara Reay, Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “As we gear up to start these important improvements, we are asking rail customers to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys. A scheme of this nature will cause some disruption so by being prepared we hope Salisbury Railway Station will continue to operate effectively.”

This is the second scheme being funded by the £9.4 million investment via the government’s Future High Streets Fund and supports our Business Plan to create and support well-connected, vibrant city centres.

Andrew Ardley, Regional Development Manager, South Western Railway, added: “SWR is very grateful for the substantial financial and time commitment that Wiltshire Council has made in investing in our station forecourt. SWR has already invested over £750,000 in the scheme through our Customer and Communities Investment Fund, with the construction of the new cycle hub marking the first phase of the works.

The scheme will make a real difference to our customers and will make the station a high-quality gateway which the city can be proud of. The changes will also enable us to have new direct local buses connecting with rail services which we know is really important to our customers.”