Council to spend £40k on three car-free days

A city council is planning to introduce three car-free days in 2026 in a bid to make the city centre more attractive to visitors.

The trial scheme, which is expected to cost £40,000, will see parts of Salisbury city centre closed to cars for big events such as the Christmas lights switch-on.

City councillors hope the temporary pedestrianisation of streets around the Guildhall will make events safer and boost footfall for businesses.

Conservative councillor Jeremy Nettle said: "We don't have a bypass, that's why everything comes through Salisbury. Pollution levels are definitely higher, and if this just gives us a breather for three days a year, then it's a start."

The plan to temporarily close Blue Boar Row and Silver Street for some events was agreed at a full council meeting last week.

Nettle said Salisbury Market Place was a big space for events and closing nearby roads would make the city centre safer for visitors.

"If people are coming into car parks around the city, it's quite dangerous for them to get from those car parks across here with young families," he said.

"And if we want 12,000 people in this market place we need to make sure that the roads are safe," he added.

He said businesses will benefit from the city centre being closed to traffic.

"It's been proven in other cities around Europe that if you close roads to allow people in, to move freely, they will come and the businesses will do well," he said.

"For these businesses to survive we've got to do something and these three events are a trial to see how effective it is."

The city council will pay Wiltshire Council £40,000 to manage the road closures.

Neil Pringett, owner of Jazz Hair Salon, said he thought the "exciting initiative" could be money well spent, especially if the council's trial works out.

"Having a vibrant city must be beneficial to all the businesses locally," he said.

"I think it's great the council is thinking outside the box.

The dates of the three car-free days are yet to be confirmed but suggestions made at the council meeting included the Christmas lights switch-on, St Georges Day, and another day in the summer.

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