Salisbury awarded £400,000 to improve bus services

Salisbury has won nearly £400,000 in government funding to help improve bus services in the area.

The money will be used to cut C02 emissions, improve the city bus station and extend a park and ride scheme.

It was awarded to the authority by the Department for Transport's Better Bus Area (BBA) fund.

The total cost of the scheme will be about £1.4m and the measures are expected to be implemented over two years.

The Wiltshire Council initiative is a partnership with the Wilts & Dorset Bus Company.

Its divisional director, Ed Wills said the grant was "excellent news" and demonstrated the council's commitment to working with them to obtain funding to "make a step change to public transport in the area".

Key to the plans is an extension to a park and ride service to allow access to Churchfield Industrial Estate, a major employment hub in the city.

Fluorescent lighting in buses will be replaced with low carbon emission LED lighting in order to make them more environmentally friendly.

The council also hopes a revamp of Salisbury central bus station will make it more attractive and comfortable for passengers waiting to travel.

The government's BBA fund has awarded 24 local authorities a share of the money to boost growth, improve partnerships with bus companies and increase bus passenger numbers.