Background
Wiltshire Council is currently in the process of implementing its Local Transport Plan for 2006 -2011 (LTP). A key objective of the plan is to seek and develop integrated transport measures throughout the County which are designed to encourage alternative modes of transport to the motor vehicle such as walking and cycling.
In 2006, the council and the Highways Agency received a petition of over 1000 signatures asking for improved cycle and pedestrian links between Wilton, Salisbury and Alderbury. The petition was collected by hand by volunteers belonging to the Cycle Opportunities Group for Salisbury. The high volume of traffic on the A36 is the key barrier to safe access between these settlements. It is also the location of most cycling accidents in Salisbury.
In response to the petition, the council has been working with Sustrans and the Highways Agency to design an appropriate route and secure funding for improvements. Part of the route hassecured funding from Sustrans' Connect2 programme. Connect2 is a national Sustrans programme that won funding from the Big Lottery Fund in a public vote in 2007. The national scheme consists of 79 projects across the country including the Salisbury scheme.Wiltshire Council agreed to match fund the Wilton-to-Alderbury route.
What improvements are being proposed?
Wilton to Salisbury
The Wilton-to-Salisbury route provides an alternative route for cyclists to avoid the more dangerous sections of the A36:
- Wiltshire Council is proposing a shared cycle path from Park Walls into Quidhampton. The surface of Edgam Place would also be improved.
- The Highways Agency is proposing a shared cycle path between Wilton Roundabout and Park Walls. The existing footpath will be widened to allow safe access for cycles and wheelchairs.
- The Highways Agency is proposing an inbound cycle lane along parts of Wilton Road.
Plan for Park Walls to Quidhampton Plan for Park Walls to Quidhampton 1mb
Plan for Wilton Roundabout to Park Walls Plan
for Wilton Roundabout to Park Walls 652kb
This route allows people to bypass Wilton Road by travelling along Lower Road and Churchfields Road. This route will be particularly useful for people in Quidhampton, the residents of the new UKLF development, people travelling from Wilton to the rail station or to Salisbury College, or for tourists visiting Wilton from Salisbury.
Further improvements to Churchfields Road were proposed. However, initial design work and consultation with residents revealed that a feasible solution could not be constructed at present without causing significant adverse impacts to other road users. In particular, the potential loss of the footpath on the north side of the road was thought to be unacceptable. The Salisbury Vision proposes that Churchfields will be redeveloped with more residential development. This will provide further opportunities for improvements on Churchfields Road.
Salisbury to Alderbury
The Alderbury-to-Salisbury route provides a continuous route into the centre, joining up with the existing shared use path between Wiltshire College and Bourne Way roundabout:
- Wiltshire Council and Sustrans are proposing a shared cycle path from Bourne Way roundabout to Marshmead Close in Alderbury.
- The Highways Agency are proposing a Toucan crossing along the route.
The route will benefit pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair or mobility scooter users, parents with buggies and anyone without a car. It will be particularly useful for residents of Alderbury travelling in to the city centre, to the College or into Laverstock.
What happens next?
A consultation event is taking place at the Village Hall, Lower Road, Quidhampton on January 11th between 2pm and 8pm. The section of route to be displayed connects Lower Rd in Quidhampton to the A36 at Park Wall Junction. Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to use it to avoid the busy Netherhampton Rd. The path links to a new cycle path alongside the A36 between Park Wall Junction and Wilton Roundabout which is proposed to be built by the Highways Agency in February. The plans for this part of route are being shown now so that local people can learn more about the scheme, ask questions, give their views and talk to the project team. A planning application will be submitted in January with the aim of building the path later in 2011.
Who can I contact for more information?
Wiltshire Council Engineer:
Tom Gardner 01722 434324
or email transportation@wiltshire.gov.uk
Last updated: 13 January 2011
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