Local News · Salisbury
Salisbury footbridges saved from demolition in National Highways U-turn
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
National Highways has cancelled plans to remove two pedestrian bridges in Salisbury and will instead replace them with modern structures as part of a wider road investment project.
National Highways has confirmed a significant change in plans for Salisbury's road network, announcing that two pedestrian footbridges originally earmarked for demolition will instead be replaced. The decision to retain and upgrade the crossings at Wyndham Road and Victoria Road follows sustained feedback from the local community.
The Wyndham Road structure, which has served the area for 58 years, was previously slated for removal as part of a £23 million package of infrastructure improvements announced earlier this year. Chris Hilldrup, route manager for National Highways, acknowledged the importance of the links to the city's A36 corridor, stating that the agency had reviewed its options after listening to local concerns.
"Installing more modern bridges will improve accessibility in those locations, and our next step is to go into detailed design to provide the best solutions to achieve that," Mr Hilldrup said. Both the Wyndham Road and Victoria Road replacements are currently expected to be delivered between 2028 and 2029.
The footbridge project sits within a broader strategy to enhance safety and reduce traffic congestion across the city. This wider programme of work includes the installation of new adaptive traffic signals at the Castle, St Mark's, and St Paul's roundabouts. While the 32-year-old signals at these sites are being replaced in the coming weeks, the new lights are set to go live on Wednesday, October 22. They will initially operate under fixed timings before switching to adaptive settings next month as traffic detectors are installed.
National Highways has also signalled further investment for the city, announcing an additional £25 million in planned improvements for the A36 Southampton Road. This brings the total projected spend on the Salisbury road network to approximately £50 million over the next four years. Future proposals for the Southampton Road area include increasing capacity at the College and Bourne Way roundabouts, alongside general improvements to underpasses and active travel routes.
Residents will have the opportunity to view these additional plans and share their feedback at two public information events held in Salisbury's Market Square. These sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, and Wednesday, November 18, running from 10am to 3pm. Those unable to attend in person will be able to access plans and complete an online questionnaire via the National Highways project website.
Source: Salisbury Journal — Salisbury · View original