A major project to reduce flood risk, improve biodiversity, and enhance leisure spaces. 1  This has delivered  major improvement for pedestrians and cyclists in the provision of some sections of  segregate walking and cycle routes into the city.

Funding:

The primary funding for the Salisbury River Park project was provided from Flood Defence Grant in Aid, which was central government funding administered by the Environment Agency, covering approximately £23.5 million of the total estimated £35 million cost. 1

Outcome as of May 2025: the River Park is nearing completion. Whilst the priority of this project was to deliver flood defences the project has delivered improved walking and cycling access along the river Avon from the Leisure Centre into the central car park and towards Devizes Rd.

Advantages: significant route improvements for both pedestrians and cyclists that assist with active travel.

Disadvantages

Lack of route improvements on the Avon Valley path leading to conflict between walkers and cyclists under the railway arch between Nelson Bridge and the coach park. 

Lack of cycle stencils on the cycle surfaces continues to be a problem resulting in cross over and conflict between pedestrians and cyclists. There is currently only one cycle stencil at each end of the new route.

Lack of directional wayfinding for pedestrians and cyclists for whom the onward route into the city centre is not signed with finger posts (reported at the time of completion).  Additional signs required to direct users towards the market square and Cathedral (via Fisherton St).

There is currently a ‘no entry except HGVs’ by the hump into central car park on Avon Approach which does not have an exemption for cyclists and so cyclists are currently unable to legally use this route.  This route is now the official National Cycle Network NCN though the car park (previously followed Avon Approach round past medical centre etc).

There is currently no contra-flow on the east side of the river from the coach park which means cyclists are unable to cycle along to the medical centre.  This is currently being discussed at the Cycle Liaison Panel.

The pedestrian and cycle crossing on Ashley road has required extensive amounts of work as a lamp standard was left in the middle of the cycleway for in excess of six months and the marking were inappropriate on the road surface and had to redone after this was raised with the project manager.  The crossing is flush with road.  Elevated crossings results in drivers slowing down, drivers are more likely to yield and studies have demonstrated that such road safety strategies can reduce casualty rates by 40%. 2

  • Recommendations:
  • Increase  the number of cycle stencils on the cycleway for clarity for pedestrians and cyclists on cycling route.
  • Provide wayfinding (directional finger posts) at the end of the route in the central carpark. This has already been recommended to the site manager (Mr Wallis) with no positive outcome by Wiltshire Council.
  • Improve the section where there is conflict between pedestrians and cyclists from Nelson Bridge to the coach park by installing a new route for cyclists  – either provide segregated road space or provide a route through the additional arch (previously explored and ruled out).
  • Implementation of an “Except Cyclists” prior to the hump to Avon Approach 
  • Implementation of a contra-flow on east of river from the coach park.
  • Complete the pedestrian and cycle crossing on Ashley Road in a timely manner to improve the experience of users.
  • Install all road crossings as raised platforms to improve safety for users.

1.       Environment Agency Salisbury River Park Phase. Environment Agency Salisbury River Park Phase https://SalisburyRiverParkPhase1.uk.engagementhq.com//projects.

2.       Loprencipe, G., Moretti, L., Pantuso, A. & Banfi, E. Raised Pedestrian Crossings: Analysis of Their Characteristics on a Road Network and Geometric Sizing Proposal. Applied Sciences 9, 2844 (2019).