The Governments third cycling and walking investment strategy (CWIS3) sets out the vision and objectives for active travel. CWIS3 will mean a noticeable shift in how Salisbury designs and delivers safe walking, wheeling and cycling routes. The strategy requires councils to prioritise everyday, short journeys — especially those to schools, shops and health services and to make active travel the easy choice. For Salisbury, this means more protected crossings, safer pavements, and better‑connected cycle routes linking neighbourhoods with key destinations. CWIS3 also sets a national target that by 2035, 55% of short urban trip stages should be walked or cycled, and it backs this with long‑term funding. In practical terms, Wiltshire Council is now expected to plan coherent networks rather than isolated schemes, and to design infrastructure that works for children, older adults, wheelchair users and people with mobility aids.
For local residents, the biggest change is that active travel becomes a core part of Salisbury’s transport system rather than an add‑on. CWIS3 emphasises safe, joined‑up routes around schools, which directly supports improvements similar to the Bishopdown–Laverstock link, safer crossings on main roads, and better connections into the city centre. Because the strategy is backed by £4.5 billion nationally, councils must show they are ready to deliver. This means that we in Salisbury should see more investment in practical upgrades such as resurfaced paths, widened pavements, protected cycle lanes and improved lighting. Overall, CWIS3 aims to make everyday walking and cycling in Salisbury feel safer, simpler and more convenient, giving residents real alternatives to short car trips.
Would you like to make a difference. Please write to the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Cllr Martin Smith (Email: martin.smith@wiltshire.gov.uk) asking him to implement CWIS3 as soon as possible. This mean planning to ensure that walking, wheeling and cycling schemes have been planned and are ready to be built as soon as the money has been provided to Wiltshire Council.
