Market Place FAQ
Questions and Answers:
- Why do we need to change the Market Place?
- When will the Market Place Project start onsite?
- How long will the work take?
- What are the main changes to the Market Place?
- Will the Charter Market remain in the Market Place?
- Will the Fair remain in the Market Place?
- What will be happening to the trees?
- Where can I see the latest designs?
- How can I express my views on the proposals?
- How is the Market Place Project funded?
- How much will the scheme cost?
- Will traffic in the Blue Boar Row be disrupted?
- Will parking still be allowed in the Market Place?
- Will toilet facilities remain in the Market Place?
- Will businesses around the Market Place be able to open during the construction works?
- How can I get more information?
Q. Why do we need to change the Market Place?
A. For centuries Salisbury’s Market Place has performed a vital role as meeting place and heart of commercial life in the city. Today the Market Place and the adjoining Guildhall Square are becoming tired and in need of serious improvement.
To continue performing its role into the future, the Market Place needs to be a welcoming space capable of supporting the widest possible range of business and community uses in addition to its established function as the home of the city’s twice weekly market.
This situation is recognised by key voices within the city including Salisbury’s business community (City Centre Management and the Chamber of Commerce), its cultural bodies (such as the Civic Society and the Cathedral) and its administrators (Salisbury City Council and Wiltshire Council) plus many other local stakeholders.
With the support of funding through Wiltshire Council a once-in-a-generation opportunity now exists to give this space the major overhaul it so desperately needs.
Q. When will the Market Place Project start on site?
A. This depends upon the outcome of the consultation and planning process. However, we anticipate a start on site at the beginning of 2012.
Q. How long will the work take?
A. Again, this depends upon the scheme that is approved. We will confirm the build programme as soon as we know the details of the scheme and have appointed a contractor to undertake the works.We aim to allow for the continuity of market trading within the Market Place throughout the build period by undertaking the works in phases.
Q. What are the main changes to the Market Place?
A. The main changes include:- Resurfacing the Market Place and Guildhall Square with high quality and hardwearing materials.
- Removing street clutter such as bollards and unnecessary signage.
- A new enclosed bin store
- Replacing trees with semi-mature specimens, appropriate to the space.
- Renewing and replacing existing street furniture.
- Removal, as far as possible, of parked vehicles to return the space to pedestrians.
- Introducing higher quality lighting throughout the space.
- Upgrading existing toilet facilities and installing a new above-ground toilet that allows disabled access.
- Upgrading electrical installations to improve facilities for the Market and provide flexible services for other entertainment and leisure activities within the space.
Q. Will the Charter Market remain in the Market Place?
A. Yes.During the construction phase our aim is to ensure the continuity of the twice-weekly market, within the Market Place, although there will inevitably be some disruption as the works take place.We will work with the Market Traders and the appointed contractors to deliver an acceptable solution.
Q. Will the Fair remain in the Market Place?
A. Yes.The Market Place will be designed in a way to allow the continuity of the Fair within the Market Place.The City Council, which is responsible for managing the Markets and Fair, will be working with the Fair operators to determine the on-going operational arrangements for the fair’s activities within the newly enhanced space.
Q. What will be happening to the Trees?
A. The existing trees will be removed and replaced with new, large semi-mature trees of native species to the UK. These new trees will be planted in specially designed tree pits that will prevent them from causing any future damage to the new surfaces yet provide them with appropriate hydration and nourishment to allow them to flourish.
The Vision Board has not taken this decision lightly and has settled on this approach only after detailed consideration of the issues. It has obtained independent advice from a specialist tree expert on the condition and issues relevant to the existing trees. This report has highlighted a number of important and on-going problems, including the following:
- A number of the trees are diseased and require immediate removal or have a very limited lifespan.
- Other trees are causing significant and on-going damage to the existing surface through root action.
- Several are causing damage to the drains.
- Some of the trees have outgrown their location, yet because of previous maintenance lapses, cannot now be effectively pollarded without risking further damage or problems.
The tree specialists have also advised that if the area around existing trees is resurfaced, with the trees still in-situ, the surfaces will continue to be pushed up and damaged by root action as they are today. This will not only continue to create trip hazards but will also add an additional and on-going maintenance cost.
Whilst not all the trees in the Market Place are causing problems there are enough that require removal to render the remaining specimens isolated and difficult to incorporate within a coherent design. These trees will also, over time, cause the same problems that the others are now, since none of them have been planted in tree pits.
With the benefit of this information and its own direct knowledge of the situation through inspecting the trees themselves, the Vision Board has accepted that all the existing trees should be removed to be replaced with new, yet large, ‘semi-mature’ native species specially planted in tree pits to protect the new surface and deliver a long-lasting and cost effective solution.
A slightly lesser number of trees will be planted than are being removed. This is in part due to the removal of the line of lime trees that separates the Guildhall Square and Market Place (creating a single, larger flexible space) and also to the fact that trees in the existing Avenue are planted too close together at the current time.
Q. What will be happening with the war memorial?
The war memorial will remain in the Guildhall Square. It will be carefully dismantled, cleaned and re-assembled in a new position facing Guildhall Square along Queen Street. This will create a much more flexible space in the Guildhall Square, and will provide a much better setting for the memorial itself, when used for its primary purpose in acts of Remembrance within the Square.
Salisbury Vision has consulted on its proposals with both the Royal British Legion and English Heritage and will continue to do so during the implementation of the works. It will do its utmost to ensure that the work is carried out respectfully and in keeping with the dignity of this important and historical structure.
Q. Where can I see the latest designs?
A. Please click on the following links to see the current scheme designs and read the Design and Access Statement that accompanies the planning application for this project.
Back to topQ. How can I express my views on the proposals?
A. A planning application has been submitted for the proposals. You will be able to provide your comments to the application via the Wiltshire Council web-site when the application and supporting documents are posted on the planning portal on Monday 18th April. In the mean time, we are hosting the accompanying Design and Access Statement for viewing on our website here.
Back to topQ. How is the Market Place Project funded?
A. The project is funded by Wiltshire Council.
Q. How much will the scheme cost?
A. The project is currently estimated to cost around £2.5m. Value for money for this project is a priority of both Salisbury Vision and Wiltshire Council, and the team developing the plans are continually looking for ways to keep costs down whilst safeguarding the key objectives of the project and the need to deliver a high quality outcome.Back to top
Q. Will traffic in Blue Boar Row be disrupted?
A. No, it is anticipated that all traffic will continue to circulate through Blue Boar Row during construction and once this project is complete.However, one of the longer-term goals of Salisbury Vision is to reduce the number of private car movements within the city centre and improve the pedestrian environment. This will be the subject of further analysis in due course.
Q. Will parking still be allowed in the Market Place?
A. No, the aim of the project is to open up the Market Place to make it more of a focus for community and commercial activities.The continued presence of parked vehicles will not help us to achieve this. However, we recognise that the needs of disabled drivers needs to be catered for and we will be working to ensure adequate disabled parking provision is maintained in the city centre.New bicycle stands will also be introduced.
Q. Will the toilet facilities remain in the market square?
A. The existing toilets will stay, and the above ground appearance improved as part of the scheme. An additional accessible above- ground toilet will also be provided.
Q. Will businesses around the Market Place be able to operate during the construction works?
A. Yes, although there may be slight disruption outside to some businesses during this time.Our aim will be to keep all such disruption to a minimum.Once completed, we are confident that the transformed Market Place will provide a significantly better environment for businesses and should lead to a general improvement in conditions for business both locally and within the city as a whole.
Q.How can I get more information?
A. If you need more information than is available on this website you can contact us directly at info@salisburyvision.co.uk or give us a call on 01722 434689.
