‘We’ve got a difficult year ahead’ – Business owners on Fisherton …
Business owners have their say about theFisherton Gateway Project (Image: Spencer Mulholland)
BUSINESS owners on Fisherton Street have been sharing their thoughts on the upcoming development project.
Construction costing around £9 million is going to take around a year to complete and will see Fisherton Street become a one-way road for the duration.
any business owners who will be affected by the Fisherton Gateway project believe that the investment will result in a favourable outcome for the city, but there is a fear that trading will be impacted for the duration of the project.
Owner of Wiltshire Galleries, Tim Treslow said: “I’m the treasurer of Fisherton Street Traders. I think it will be a great enhancement to the street (when it’s done) but I do think that we have got a difficult year ahead with the disruption caused, especially given that the river park is ongoing and the contractors will be using the central car park as well so less parking. Parking and traffic in Salisbury are massive issues.
“I am pleased to see that the parking bays down here will be turned into loading bays which will help businesses but on the whole, it is good to see investment into Salisbury.”
Ellen Bath is the owner of Alice’s in Wonderland – a specialist shop which has been trading since 1979. The shop relies on customers visiting the premises.
She said: “Access to the car park will be a priority I think as many of my customers come from quite a long way away, but there’s a lot going on in the car park at the moment.”
Pavements will be widened to make it safer for pedestrians and there is a plan to have additional street lighting.
Ellen is keeping an open mind about the project and said: “I know the pavement does need to be wider here, so hopefully it will be nice but who knows.”
Concerns about the one-way system and parking was a recurring issue.
At the nearby Salisbury Model Centre, manager Clive Osbaldeston said: “At the moment, people can park for an hour outside, but this will change to loading or unloading so most people will have to park in the central car park.
He had been told that the contractors would have most of the vehicles and equipment at Churchfields or would be parked on the top of the multi-story car park which would reduce the impact on the central car park.
He believes that the contractors will do their best to minimise any impact on his shop.
Clive said: “The contractors told me that once they get close to here, they will check with me as to the best time to work.”
It has been decided that a one-way system in Fisherton Street may be disruptive but it was the most appropriate option. Bus stops on the route will be repositioned temporarily.
References
- ^ Reactions as Stonehenge tunnel given the go-ahead (www.salisburyjournal.co.uk)
- ^ Author tells Journal podcast he will never give up on 1908 murder (www.salisburyjournal.co.uk)