Railway station revitalisation is celebrated

Dignitaries from the project's partners South Western Railway and Wiltshire Council and local MP John Glen were all in attendance

Local residents and dignitaries celebrated the revitalisation of a railway station forecourt at a ceremony on Friday.

Salisbury Railway Station has undergone a £4.5 million redevelopment, with improvements made to bus stops, drop-off points and pedestrian and cycle routes.

The money was allotted under the Future High Streets Fund, with additional funds provided by the previous Tory government.

Andrew Ardley, Regional Development Manager at South Western Railway said that the station had undergone a transformation, from what had previously been "just a big car park".

"There were no proper pedestrian routes, no proper cycle routes. The only bus that could get in here had to do a three-point turn,", he added.

"Now we've got proper designated bus stops with the buses go round the car park without having to do a ,turn. They've got proper quality bus stops.

"It's very clearly signposted for pedestrians and other users. We've got designated pick-up and drop-off points for people arriving by car."

The newly-redesigned forecourt includes bus stops and walking routes

Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Housing, Communities and Local Government Baroness Taylor said there were added benefits from the scheme on top of improving the look of the area and boosting transport.

"These kinds of projects where everyone gets together and collaborates on them are really important to driving the economy of the country forward, but also providing new facilities for the whole community, including making sure that this station is accessible for everybody," she said.

Councillor Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, Streetscene and Flooding, described the new forecourt as fulfilling an "interconnected transport vision".

Salisbury MP John Glen said: "We did the work that was needed to upgrade the look and feel of the entrance to the city. I'm delighted it's done."