Slip roads to open
7 April 2004

Two new slip roads allowing westbound traffic access both to and from the A303 at Solstice Park, Amesbury, will open on Saturday.

It is the first time cars heading west will be able to join the A303 at Folly Bottom and, when the northern slip roads open on April 27, eastbound traffic will also be able to slip on and off the busy dual carriageway at this point.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony last month, Mayor of Amesbury Allan Peach said: "I am delighted to be opening this road because it is something Amesbury has been fighting to get for a great number of years.

"It will be of huge benefit to the town.

"Amesbury is going to be a big development area over the next ten years or so and, thanks to the Amesbury Property Group, we have now got our west-bound slip road."

Work on the junction started last spring, after the Amesbury Property Company obtained outline planning permission from Salisbury District Council.

The group is bearing the cost of the £8m junction, although the Highways Agency is paying the £1.73m cost of constructing the new bridge over the A303.

The Agency has also been responsible for the implementation of the new junction and bridge works and will retain responsibility for the slip roads once they are all operational. Wiltshire County Council will be responsible for the four new roundabouts.

Leader of the County Council Jane Scott said: "For the people who live in Amesbury, this is a key development - it has opened the chance for them to have the road on to the A303 they have always wanted.

"There is going to be a lot of new building, too - a lot of new development that will hopefully be of benefit to the whole community.

"That has to be good news for Amesbury and the economy of the centre of Amesbury - it's a very exciting time."

When completed, Solstice Park will be one of the largest business parks in the south, comprising an industrial and distribution estate, an office park, roadside and leisure facilities and a large central area for major users.

The leisure and roadside site, which fronts the A303, will include a 149-bed hotel, restaurants and a petrol filling station.

ENDS

From the Salisbury Journal

Date of issue: 7 April 2004