A major £5.8m refurbishment is starting at Salisbury station

Salisbury station yard is to undergo a major £5.8m refurbishment to make it more accessible.

Following approval of the final designs by Network Rail and South Western Railway (SWR), preparatory work is about to begin.

The main works will include sustainable travel facilities, including a bus interchange, and will be carried out in three phases, with the first expected to start on 10 June.

Andrew Ardley, regional development manager for SWR, said the scheme would “make a real difference” to customers and “make the station a high quality gateway” to the city.

“The changes will also allow us to have new direct local buses to link with rail services, which we know is really important to our customers,” he added.

The refurbishment will also include extensive landscaping including the planting of trees and shrubs, new street furniture and the introduction of wayfinding systems.

During the work, which is expected to take about a year, standard pay and display parking will be removed, apart from parking at the west end of the car park.

Blue badge parking will also be available, as well as taxi ranks and Stonehenge bus and rail replacement bus services.

Alternative parking will be available temporarily at Central Car Park, with the existing short stay car park being changed to long stay parking to support rail customers until the new Fisherton Street car park opens later this year.

Cllr Tamara Reay, Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said rail travelers should plan ahead and allow extra time for journeys during the works.