Work on a major project in Salisbury to help protect hundreds of homes and businesses from the risk of flooding is set to start next week.
The Salisbury River Park project is a collaborative scheme between Wiltshire Council and the Environment Agency, with support from the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP) and Salisbury City Council.
The aim of the project is to make sure 250 homes, 100 businesses and one school are better protected from flooding. The project will also involve:
creating wildlife corridors and improving biodiversity;
improving the recreational and amenity value of the area, and creating green spaces that are more pleasant to move through and spend time in;
and enabling growth and the regeneration of key development sites in the city centre.
The first stage of the project will involve works on trees and other vegetation, and is expected to take six weeks. Trees that need to be removed as part of the scheme will be taken out before the bird-nesting season, the Environment Agency said.
Under the plans, only trees that need to be removed will be and the design will “minimise the impact” on existing trees and other vegetation. The project team will plant six times as many trees as it removes and the material taken will be reused on site where possible.
The Environment Agency also said some parking spaces would be temporarily removed during the works to allow space for a site compound. Some foot and cycle paths near the project will also be temporarily diverted.
Further minor works will continue after the vegetation clearance, including trapping and relocating water voles in isolated areas where they will be directly impacted by the main works, to a suitable habitat further downstream.
Ron Curtis, area flood and coastal risk manager at the Environment Agency, said: “We have reached the important stage of preparing the Salisbury River Park site ready for construction to begin later this year.
“This is the first step in providing better flood protection for the city. We know the devastating impact that flooding can have, which is why protecting people and communities is our top priority.”
The main construction works are due to start in May and will continue through to December 2023.
Dr Mark McClelland, cabinet member for transport, waste, street scene and flooding at Wiltshire Council, said the works had “real potential” to transform the area.
“The Salisbury River Park project is the first initiative from the Salisbury Central Area Framework to come forward and we are excited to see works starting on the site at the end of the month,” he said.
The project is being funded by DEFRA; SWLEP; the Wessex Regional Flood and Coastal Committee; the Department for Education; and National Highways.
Caroline Corbin, of Salisbury City Council, added: “This is an exciting project for Salisbury – both in terms of creating a wildlife pathway and enhancing our rivers but also in developing a greener city for our residents to enjoy.”
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