Update on Salisbury

Following my previous blog, I am pleased to update that the recovery of Salisbury is now well underway and this week plans to decontaminate and clean-up sites affected were revealed and will be discussed at a community meeting in the city this evening.

I have to say that the response from the local community has been so positive given the circumstance that it has faced. The tolerance and resilience shown by everyone will be tantamount to the city’s recovery.

Last weekend I attended the special service at St Thomas’s and was heartened at the energy and passion expressed by so many local people. The reclamation of their city was both cathartic and needed as we move into the clean-up phase of recovery. I was both proud and humbled when thanks were passed onto the council and its staff at the service, for the support and work that’s being undertaken to help Salisbury return to normal.

There is no doubt that it will take some time before things are fully back to normal, but it’s so encouraging to hear that many local businesses and community leaders have said that this is an opportunity to build on the incident and showcase what the city has to offer to a worldwide audience both now and in the future.

For a short period of time both Wiltshire Police and council staff will need to move out of the new building at Bourne Hill offices. This is to allow the clean-up team to carry out the work that’s needed. Services will be relocated during this time and staff were only informed yesterday and have been exemplary in their response; both understanding and can-do and reflecting the community of Salisbury in helping its recovery.

It’s at times such as this extraordinary event in Salisbury that you realise how people come together and respond to what’s needed.

This community bonding at every level whether that’s businesses, community groups, staff working with other teams, partners and national and local agencies that relationships are formed and common goals become the focus.

There is no doubt in my mind that the focus in Salisbury is to get back to normal and its getting there…

Wiltshire needs this beautiful city to thrive and continue to be an anchor for local, national and international visitors. I am totally confident that given the tangible unity and approach across the city that this is happening.

Salisbury is being reclaimed and returning to be even better.

The strength of local communities

I have often talked about how Wiltshire is unique – based on its strong communities that consistently come together to make a positive difference. This is based on the many willing volunteers that help to deliver local events and offer a helping hand to others; particularly those who are older and often less able to cope.

And, as I have also previously stated - if all of us could do a little or a small act; what a big difference we could make.

The shocking incident that happened one month ago today in the beautiful city of Salisbury has highlighted that even in the most difficult of circumstances, the local community has come together to support and help and demonstrate its outstanding resilience.

As I’m sure you are aware, the council is leading the programme to help Salisbury recover. This has meant working closely with local businesses and residents as well as a number of local and national agencies, to do all we can to help the city return to normal.

The health and wellbeing is the absolute priority and DEFRA’s recent message that Salisbury is safe for residents and visitors, outside of the cordoned areas, is extremely reassuring.   

The recovery work needed to decontaminate and remediate the sites affected will take time, but it is essential that this is thorough and carefully planned work to ensure the sites are clean and safe for the future.

The free car parking in the centre car parks and the five park and ride sites was implemented to encourage visitors and shoppers to the city centre and its working!

Investment in marketing will encourage tour operators and visitors to choose Salisbury. We will host these visitors with pride reflecting what makes Wiltshire and the city of Salisbury great.

Strength comes from unity and a common cause; and resilience comes from standing up to what you believe in. Working with the local community we will help Salisbury to recover and go from strength to strength.

Jane