The Fisherton Street project aimed to deliver major improvements including new wider pavements, new street lighting, enhanced landscaping, upgraded street furniture, new cycle parking stands and continuous footpaths at junctions to prioritise pedestrians creating a much more welcoming environment.
Current Status May 2025: completed late 2024. The Fisherton St project has now been completed. The improvements have transformed Fisherton St in to a more attractive shopping area for pedestrians and cyclists. and more convenient to travel by foot into the city centre. 1 Local businesses have welcomed the changes. 2
Advantages: The changes to the pavements, junctions and increased cycle parking have made it easier for pedestrians to use Fisherton St. Such changes should encourage visitors to spend more time in the area which will benefit the local economy.
Disadvantages: Due to the removal of “People Friendly Streets” there is excessive number of vehicles travelling along Fisherton street leading to congestion, pollution and noise. Evidence from objective independent multi-modal traffic monitoring indicates that vehicle numbers vary between 3500 to over 5000 vehicles per day passing along Fisherton St. 3 There are also 800-1000 heavy goods vehicles using Fisherton St per day. Fisherton St is currently a 20mph signed zone. 35% of cars are travelling between 18-24mph, 10% at 24-31mph and vehicles have been recorded travelling in excess of 40mph on this 20mph road. Wiltshire Council’s figures report that an estimated 11,000 vehicles are using Fishertone St on a daily basis – one the 20mph routes into the city.Reports from the shop owners indicated that those breaking the speed limit are also doing this during the working hours. Such traffic volumes and speeds are not conducive to attractive active travel.
Recommendations: introduce improved signage to enable drivers to access the main car parks and local traffic management and control along Fisherton street that discourages drivers from driving the length of Fisherton St into the market square.
1. Major enhancements to Fisherton Street near completion. Wiltshire Council https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/news/major-enhancements-to-fisherton-street-near-completion.
2. Salisbury businesses have their say on Fisherton Street work | Salisbury Journal. https://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/business/business/24859321.salisbury-businesses-say-fisherton-street-work/.
3. Telraam. Telraam multi-modal traffic monitoring. Fisherton Street, Salisbury. https://telraam.net/en/location/9000005740. (2025).