The redevelopment of the station quarter has transformed the arrival experience at Salisbury’s railway station, and links in with the Fisherton Street Gateway project. The aim was to deliver improvements such as widening pavements for pedestrian access from Fisherton St along Station Approach, pedestrians crossing within the station forecourt, pedestrian steps and ramps and a new pedestrian crossing on Churchfields Rd, improved cycling access along the station entrance to the new storage facility and bus access and bus shelters.
Funding: The transformation of the Salisbury Station Quarter was primarily funded through a £4.5 million investment from the Future High Streets Fund. South Western Railway contributed £750,000 via its Customers and Communities Improvement Fund.
Current Status May 2025: Improvements have been completed including widened pavements for pedestrian access from Fisherton St, pedestrian steps and ramps and a new pedestrian crossing on Churchfields Rd, improved cycling access and storage facility, bus access and bus stop shelters. 1
Advantages: improvements have included widened pavements on Station Approach for pedestrian access from Fisherton St and in front of the station forecourt. A number of new pedestrian crossings have been installed within the station forecourt providing priority for pedestrians. A new pedestrian crossing has been installed on Churchfields Road to improve safety for pedestrians to cross the road. New pedestrian steps and ramps have also been installed for those using for those using wheelchairs have been constructed. New bus stops and bus shelters have been added to enable city buses and the Bournemouth bus to stop and pick and drop off passengers at the station. New cycle storage station was installed with 74 cycle parking spaces and an e-bike hire docking station (later removed as the company went into liquidation). There is now cycle lane (painted white line) from the station entrance to the cycle storage hub.
Disadvantages: There is still excessive vehicle movements through the station. There is a lack of safe cycling infrastructure on the access routes to and from the station. Churchfields road is considered to be extremely dangerous by many cyclists travelling to and from the city. E-bikes were withdrawn as the company went into liquidation. Currently there are no hire (e)bike schemes in the city.
The new cycle lane from the station entrance ends at the cycle hub and does not continue through the car park or further round the forecourt.
Churchfields Rd can be extremely intimidating for cyclists due to the number of cars and larger vehicles, particularly as one approaches the mini roundabout on Mill Rd where the area is often congested. There is a car exit from the car park further along Churchfields Rd. If this was opened for cyclists it would alleviate the dangers for cyclists and provide a safer alternative within the safer confines of the car park where vehicles movements are few and far between during off peak traffic movements and speeds are less than 10mph.
The northern entrance to Salisbury railway station was closed in 2009, shortly after ticket barriers were installed at the main entrance. Following requests by the public and the station quarter consultation £55,000 was allocated (£30,000 from South Western Railway and £25,000 from Wiltshire Council) in September 2023 for a feasibility study into bringing the northern entrance back into public use.
Recommendations:
- Installation of safe infrastructure for pedestrian and cyclists for access to and from the station.
- Implementation of a fixed cycle hire and e-bike station are required to improve the active travel aspects in the city centre at the station and else where (Leisure centre, city centre, leisure centres, hospital, college, Wilton).
- The new cycle lane should be extended from cycle hub to continue further round the forecourt car park and back to the entrance.
- The new cycle lane should be extended from cycle hub to continue through the car park and exit further along Churchfields Road.
- Cycling access to be permitted from Churchfields Rd entrance to the carparking area and to the station forecourt.
- Wayfinding signs for pedestrians and cyclists to and from the city and residential areas
- As per public opinion open up the Northern Entrance for users.
1. Milestone. Salisbury Station Forecourt Newsletter: February 2025 https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/media/15754/Station-Forecourt-Newsletter-February-2025/pdf/Station_Forecourt_Newsletter_-_February_25.pdf?m=1744029508517. (2025).