Salisbury has an older than average elderly population with an estimated 20% over 65 which will increase significantly by 2030.   1

Those of working-age (18-64) make up the majority of the population, while children and adolescents (under 18) account for approximately 18% of the population and 18% of the population is classed as disabled under the Equality Act.

Three areas of Salisbury (Bemerton West and South, and St Martin Central) rank in the 20% most deprived areas.

It is estimated that 18% of households within Salisbury do not have access to a car or van.  Up to 26% of those in the most deprived area e.g. Bemerton often do not own a car and those wards with the highest percentage of non-car owning households are St Edmunds/Milford (33%) and St Pauls (32%) 2 which is similar in most inner cities. 3

Whilst most Salisbury residents (>90%) live within a 15-minute walk of a public transport access point this is not the case for 10-20% for those living in St Edmund and Milford.

Wiltshire council has reported that Salisbury and Wilton have the highest concentration of obesity in Wiltshire which is alarming from a public health perspective.

The LCWIP clearly outlines that the three areas of higher deprivation are less likely to be able to afford a vehicle. 4 Therefore those residents are more likely to depend on walking, cycling and public transport to commute to work, college or into the city. In addition, those living in denser urban areas are actually more likely to be able to change to walking, cycling or going by bus.

It is recognised that women cycle less than men as they do not feel the roads or routes are safe. Through published data it has been determined that that women require a safe environment such as segregated infrastructure before equivalent numbers of women cycle compared to men.

1.       Tania. Salisbury demographics. Focus Magazines https://focus-magazines.co.uk/area-information/about-salisbury-uk/ (2024).

2.       ONS. 2011 Census – Office for National Statistics. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census (2011).

3.       City Monitor. These maps show which English cities are least reliant on cars. CityMonitor https://www.citymonitor.ai/analysis/these-maps-show-which-english-cities-are-least-reliant-cars-1722/ (2016).

4.       Wiltshire Council. Salisbury Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs). Wiltshire Council https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/transport-town-cycle-networks (2024).