Frankie Crew

Salisbury councillor Atiqul Hoque has urged National Highways and Wiltshire Council to switch off city-centre traffic lights between 11pm and 4am, arguing that a recent outage improved traffic flow, reduced emissions and noise, saved money and received positive public feedback. Wiltshire Council rejects the idea, citing road-safety and accessibility risks, unsuitable signal equipment, limited overnight congestion and the cost of a trial. National Highways says the existing signals are essential for safety and is replacing those at three roundabouts with energy-efficient systems that respond to traffic in real time.

Zac Shenton-Phelps, 28, was charged with drink driving after a vehicle was reportedly driven dangerously on the A36 Wilton Road in Salisbury and later stopped on Southampton Road. His evidential breath test recorded 89 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, more than twice the legal limit of 35. He is due to appear at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on November 9. Wiltshire Police reminded drivers that drink driving is among the offences most likely to cause death or serious injury on the roads.

The Burgate School and Sixth Form in Fordingbridge celebrated a strong set of GCSE results, with 59% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above in English and maths and more than a quarter attaining grades 7 to 9. The school also recorded its highest proportion of grade 9s in four years, exceeding the national average. School leaders attributed the performance to students' sustained effort, engagement and the school's ethos, while high-achieving pupils described their results and plans to continue into A-level study.

Emergency repairs to a gas main on the A36 Wilton Road in Salisbury are continuing, delaying the planned reopening. The road remains closed in both directions between the A3094 and Foots Hill, with SGN engineers working before resurfacing can begin. Drivers are being diverted via The Avenue, Fugglestone St Peter and the A360 and warned to expect delays of around 10 minutes. The closure is expected to remain until 6am on Thursday, August 20.

Average waiting times for practical driving tests in Salisbury fell from 24 weeks in May to 10.2 weeks in June, the largest monthly reduction among comparable Great Britain test centres, before rising to 16.5 weeks in July. Local instructor Alan Bunt attributed the improvement to DVSA booking-rule changes, limits on bookings at distant centres, reduced bot activity and the recruitment of three examiners. However, instructor Luci Crouch warned that the June fall may have resulted from a temporary increase in capacity and that candidates who fail can still face waits of up to six months for another test.

A petition opposing plans to divide the New Forest has collected 30,000 signatures. The proposal would separate Totton and the Waterside from the New Forest District and place them in a new authority involving Southampton, Eastleigh and parts of Test Valley. Campaigners argue the communities have longstanding ties to the New Forest and were ignored during consultation, while the government says reorganisation would simplify administration and improve accountability. Hampshire County Council is pursuing a legal challenge, and New Forest Together plans further letter-writing, public events and a demonstration in Westminster.

Wiltshire Police has launched its first three-year Knife Crime Strategy, aiming to prevent knife-enabled violence through early intervention, safeguarding, targeted enforcement, intelligence sharing and community engagement. The strategy adopts a public health approach involving police, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, local authorities, health and education services, youth justice, probation, fire and rescue services, and voluntary organizations. Wiltshire recorded 777 knife-related offences in the 12 months to May, a 6.1% annual increase, while offences involving under-18s fell by 27.6%, or 42 incidents. Officials said the decline demonstrates the value of preventative partnership work, while emphasizing that further action is needed to address vulnerability, exploitation and the causes of serious violence.

Pitton Post Office will relocate from High Street to Pitton Community Shop & Post Office on White Hill after the current postmaster resigns and the existing premises are withdrawn. The old branch will close on September 28 at 1pm, with the new branch opening on October 5 at 1pm. It will provide 43 hours of weekly service, retain the full range of Post Office offerings and include accessibility features such as level entry, a hearing loop and a low-level counter. Customers can provide feedback on accessibility until September 11, while alternative services will be available in Winterslow and Alderbury during the closure.

Wiltshire Police are seeking information after approximately 20 goats with no visible tags were found wandering in Tidworth on August 16. Anyone who recognizes the animals or believes their goats may have escaped is asked to contact 101 and quote log 170.

Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Catherine Roper visited Amesbury Men’s Shed to learn about its activities and meet members, even trying woodturning to make a pen. The visit was arranged by councillor and shed patron Monica Devendran, who highlighted the group’s role in combating isolation, improving wellbeing and contributing to safer, stronger communities.

A former Colton Dancing Academy studio at 59a Park Street in Salisbury has been demolished and replaced with five mews-style, two-bedroom homes. Wiltshire Council approved the development in June 2025, concluding that it would improve the area’s built environment and contribute to local housing supply. Delivered by Ludlow Properties, the homes include private courtyards, generous living space and cycle storage, and are about a 10-minute walk from Salisbury Market Square. They are on sale from £290,000.

Lover Repair Café, based at Redlynch Village Hall, has raised £60,000 for charities since opening in late 2019. Volunteers repair household items in exchange for donations, helping residents preserve sentimental possessions while keeping items out of landfill. The café, which operates on Wednesday and Friday mornings, supports causes including Stars Appeal, Salisbury Hospice, Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Salisbury Food Bank, Lover Baby Bank and the Macmillan Fund, and will hold a celebration on September 4.

Robert Marriner of Bishopdown plans to skydive at Old Sarum Airfield on August 15, aiming to raise £1,500 for the Stars Appeal and Salisbury District Hospital’s Acute Medical Unit. The fundraiser is intended to thank staff who treated his partner, Frankie Maher, during a life-threatening case of bacterial meningitis. Maher spent 10 days in isolation and continues to experience fatigue, hearing loss in one ear and short-term memory problems, while Marriner says the hospital’s rapid response saved her life.

Sarum Academy is closing its sixth form after its final Year 13 cohort achieved strong results and positive destinations. Thirty-five per cent of students are progressing to university or further education, 50 per cent are entering employment and 15 per cent are starting apprenticeships. Headteacher Toni Hayzen described the closure as bittersweet, while students including Isobel Giles, Kayleigh Rose, Toby Loader, Anthony Gallagher and Liam Hepplewhite outlined their results and plans for further study, work, travel and careers.

Astronaut Tim Peake will bring his live show, Astronauts: The Quest To Explore Space, to Salisbury City Hall on October 2. The presentation will cover the history of space exploration, Peake’s experiences aboard the International Space Station, the Artemis program’s planned return to the Moon and future missions to Mars. The tour follows his earlier show My Journey To Space, and tickets are available through the tour website and participating venues.

Police have released CCTV images seeking to identify three men suspected of stealing 11 tins of baby milk and six bottles of champagne, valued at £455, from the Co-op on High Street in Fordingbridge at around 7:10 p.m. on July 11. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary is asking witnesses or anyone with information to contact police or Crimestoppers.

A van fire on the A31 spread into New Forest heathland, burning more than 100 hectares and forcing the road to close in both directions. The closure caused severe congestion on routes through Salisbury and Wilton, disrupting Salisbury Reds services, local businesses and residents. Fire crews continued tackling the blaze with pumps, hoses, off-road vehicles and water carriers, while officials urged motorists to avoid the area. No casualties were reported, but reopening the A31 was expected to be delayed by firefighting, repairs and safety checks.

Wiltshire Council has cut funding for Get Wiltshire Walking and made its Community Walk Coordinator role redundant, prompting volunteers to fear that the popular free walking programme could gradually lose participants and fail to attract new walkers. The scheme records more than 25,000 attendances in an average year and supports people recovering from illness, managing long-term conditions or seeking social and physical activity. The council says the walks will continue under its Sport and Physical Activity Team, with efforts to maintain volunteer support, reliable delivery and communication during the transition.

Smith England Salon and Tinga Mexican Bar & Restaurant will host Prosecco and Plaits in Salisbury on August 18 to help mothers learn practical hairstyling techniques for their children. The event is intended to create a relaxed social space for women and parents while raising funds for Salisbury Women’s Refuge. It was inspired by the London-based Pints and Ponytails events for fathers and follows the success of a similar local event.

Salisbury’s second annual Mela transformed the Market Place into a free celebration of cultural diversity, featuring international food and crafts, community stalls, family activities, music, dance, drumming workshops and performances from local cultural groups. Organized by Salisbury City Council, the event attracted people of all ages and is becoming a regular fixture in the city’s summer events calendar.

Florin Fustei, 29, of Castle Road, Salisbury, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent after a man allegedly suffered facial fractures in an assault on May 20, 2025. Fustei was granted conditional bail and ordered not to contact the complainant. His trial at Salisbury Crown Court is scheduled to begin on April 26, 2027, and is expected to last four days.

A look back at Salisbury-area events from 1976, including a visit by the Wilton Wombles, a gathering for disabled riders, the presentation of long-service medals at Larkhill, a show at East Grimstead, bypass construction work, and a sports course at Bemerton School sports centre. The archive also notes a golden wedding celebration in Hamptworth.

About 1,100 members of the public entered the Salisbury Plain training estate without authorization between September 2024 and September 2025, around 700 more than in the previous year. Roughly 80 incidents were classified as near misses, creating potentially life-threatening risks for walkers and soldiers and disrupting live-fire exercises. The Ministry of Defence has launched an interactive “Spot the Sniper” campaign as part of Respect the Range, urging visitors to obey warning signs, remain on public rights of way, control dogs and avoid the estate during military training.

Wiltshire Council deputy leader Mel Jacob explains that a booking-system pilot at Salisbury Household Recycling Centre is intended to reduce queues, improve traffic management and make the service safer and more efficient, rather than restrict access. Same-day bookings will be offered where possible, with appointments initially allocated in 30-minute slots. The council will review demand and site usage before making longer-term decisions.

Jack Harvey, 33, of Trowbridge, pleaded guilty to possessing 19 and making 216 indecent images of children between September 2023 and February 2024. Salisbury Crown Court sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered him to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and surrender the device containing the images. Prosecutors said he exchanged the images through Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, while his defence cited remorse and the influence of drugs and alcohol. The judge said the offences warranted imprisonment but gave Harvey an opportunity to turn his life around.

Dougal, an 11-month-old cat from Stapleford, Wiltshire, was seriously injured after allegedly being shot twice with an airgun. A bullet remains lodged near his spine, kidneys and urethra because removing it could cause paralysis or worse. His owner, Claire Walters, described the attack as traumatic and said she now fears for her other pets and the wider community. Wiltshire Police are investigating and asking anyone with information to contact them.

Wiltshire Council has granted reserved matters approval for Bargate’s 25-home development on a 1.7-hectare site south of the A27 in Whiteparish. The scheme will include one- to five-bedroom homes, affordable housing and First Homes in partnership with VIVID, alongside nearly two acres of public parkland, play areas, footpaths and wildflower planting. Homes will feature solar panels, air-source heat pumps, insulation and electric-vehicle charging points, while sustainable drainage systems will support biodiversity and surface-water management. Construction is expected to begin after the site’s outline permission was approved in 2024.

A visit to Cosy Club in Salisbury reviews its summer menu, highlighting well-executed small plates, including crispy cauliflower, garlic and paprika prawns, and charred Padron peppers. The herb-crusted salmon and king prawn and salmon linguine are praised as flavorful mains, while the brûléed miso caramel custard tart provides a balanced sweet-and-salty dessert. Refreshing drinks, friendly attentive service and a relaxed atmosphere lead to the conclusion that Cosy Club is a strong choice for a casual city-centre meal.

Support workers Hannah Pickering and Lisa Mills completed a 200-mile walking challenge throughout July, raising £1,000 for Salisbury Trust for the Homeless. The fundraiser received widespread community encouragement and was inspired by 101-year-old former chairperson Phyllis Babb, whose earlier fundraising supported new accommodation and furniture upgrades. The trust receives no government funding, so donations will directly support accommodation and services helping homeless people move toward stability and independence.

National Highways says upgrades to traffic lights at Salisbury’s St Paul’s, Castle and St Mark’s roundabouts will continue into early autumn, later than planned. The £23 million A36 improvement scheme will replace 32-year-old analogue signals with adaptive, energy-efficient systems, alongside resurfacing, new road markings and work on Wilton Road. National Highways says the technology will improve safety and traffic flow, but the delay and temporary removal of signals have prompted criticism from councillors. Some local representatives argue that traffic has improved without the lights and are calling for the roundabouts and wider A36 corridor to be reassessed.

Wiltshire councillor Monica Devendran urged the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board to set out clear measures for improving access to NHS dentistry. The board said it tracks the proportion of adults and children seen according to NICE recall guidance and reported that contracted dental activity is currently being delivered at just over 84%. Undelivered activity may be reassigned or redirected to the wider dental budget, while persistently underperforming practices may have contracts reduced. The meeting also examined hospital admissions for tooth extractions, urgent access requirements, and participation in the voluntary Neighbourhood Dental Scheme; several issues remain under review or lack complete data.

Wiltshire Council welcomes the Prime Minister’s pledge to reform adult social care but says the changes must be meaningful, properly funded and sustainable. Cabinet member Clare Cape highlights rising demand, increasingly complex needs and financial pressures facing rural authorities, while praising care workers, unpaid carers and volunteers. The council supports a cross-party approach, public involvement through the Big Conversation on Care, and collaboration with the Government, NHS and care sector.

The Ministry of Defence has launched an interactive “Spot the Sniper” challenge using images from Salisbury Plain Training Area to demonstrate how effectively military personnel can remain concealed. The campaign also warns the public about the risks of entering training areas without permission and advises visitors to follow signs, respect red flags and lights, stay on designated routes, control dogs, avoid military debris and refrain from lighting fires. The MOD says uninterrupted training is essential to maintaining Armed Forces readiness and operational skills.

Nest & Bloom, a baby-equipment cleaning business based in Old Sarum, Salisbury, provides deep cleaning and steam sanitisation for pushchairs, car seats, travel systems, bassinets and other items. Owner Mia Fenn says the service helps families save money, reduce waste and extend the life of baby gear. The business serves Wiltshire and nearby areas, is introducing collection points around Swindon and Winchester, and offers discounts to teachers, early-years professionals and childminders.

Stories of the Sea, held at Arundells in Salisbury in partnership with auction house Woolley & Wallis, used maritime artefacts and specialist talks to explore naval heritage, global trade and the cultural influence of the sea. Presentations covered a 17th-century Japanese lacquer cabinet depicting Dutch East India Company ships, engraved 18th-century wine glasses commemorating privateer vessels, and models made by French prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars. The event formed part of Arundells’ wider programme of talks, exhibitions and collaborations intended to make history accessible to local residents and visitors.

A 50-minute climate and nature emergency briefing presented by Chris Packham was screened at Salisbury Methodist Church as part of a nationwide public engagement initiative. The film brought together evidence from experts in areas including meteorology, defence, economics, health, food security and nature, highlighting the increasing urgency of the crisis and the UK’s record temperatures. Organisers and attendees called for the briefing to be televised nationally, better engagement with younger people and informed community discussions, while encouraging audiences to lobby their MPs.

South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex are reducing services between Yeovil Junction and Exeter to one train every two hours from August 10 because prolonged hot, dry weather has destabilised clay embankments along the West of England line. Speed restrictions between Tisbury and Honiton limit train capacity on the largely single-track route. London Waterloo–Salisbury services will continue every 30 minutes, while journeys to Yeovil Junction and Exeter will take longer. The temporary timetable will remain in place until conditions improve, with passengers advised to check journey planners and allow extra time.

Southons of Salisbury, a family-run furniture retailer established in 1907, closed on July 31 following the retirement of managing director Chris Southon. The business operated from Catherine Street for a century after relocating there in 1924, and was run by three generations of the Southon family. Southon described the closure as a bittersweet end to 119 years of family history, while customers expressed sadness and gratitude for the retailer’s long service.

Salisbury District Hospital is introducing a booking system for GP-requested blood tests from Monday 10 August, ending its walk-in service. Patients will need to book 10-minute appointments online, while alternative testing remains available through GP surgeries and Salisbury's Community Diagnostic Centre. Inpatients and people with blood passports are exempt. The Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust says the system will reduce waiting times, improve patient experience and help balance daily demand.

A medieval summer fayre at St Peter’s Church in Salisbury raised more than £900 for the church’s ongoing restoration and expansion for wider community use. The event featured music, morris dancing, folk music, traditional games, cream teas and a stocks attraction. Trustees are also awaiting the outcome of an application for Lottery funding.

Salisbury councillor Victoria Charleston is calling for urgent action to address limited NHS dental access in the city. She says elderly and vulnerable residents are travelling as far as the New Forest for treatment, while families are paying about £85 for routine check-ups. British Dental Association data shows that only 33% of adults in Wiltshire saw an NHS dentist in the previous two years; although the relevant integrated care board area has 343 dentists, reduced NHS commitments amount to only 119 full-time equivalent NHS dentists. Charleston has contacted the integrated care board about collaboration, hopes to emulate improvements in Somerset, and is asking residents to complete a survey about their experiences.

Forestry England will host a family-friendly Halloween illuminated trail at Moors Valley Country Park from October 23 to November 1. The after-dark experience will feature giant skeletons, a carnivorous garden, glowing installations and other spooky woodland scenes, with food and drinks available for an additional charge. Tickets cost £15 to £19.50 for adults and £9 to £13 for children, and timed entry with limited capacity makes advance booking advisable. The trail is created by Culture Creative and delivered by Sony Music’s live-experiences subsidiary RG Live.

Salisbury City Council has opened applications for Community Infrastructure Levy funding, inviting community groups and other eligible organisations to propose infrastructure projects that address the effects of new housing and support local growth. Eligible initiatives include improvements to community buildings, parks, sports facilities, accessibility, walking and cycling routes, public spaces, biodiversity, heritage and culture. Applicants must first submit an expression of interest, followed by a full application and assessment; council officers are available to provide guidance.

Salisbury Fire Station hosted its fifth annual open day at its Ashley Road site, giving visitors behind-the-scenes access to firefighters, fire engines and specialist equipment. Demonstrations and hands-on activities included a fire engine simulator, fire house experience, CPR training, throwline practice and an airport crash tender display. The free event also promoted home fire safety and careers in firefighting.

Alabaré has launched an online shop selling artwork created by prisoners through its Prison Art Project, including work from HMP Erlestoke and other prisons across England and Wales. Half of each sale goes to the artist, while the remainder funds art materials. The charity says the scheme provides a constructive outlet, builds confidence and may help reduce homelessness and reoffending; around 70 art packs have been distributed across 37 prisons. One participant received a Silver Award for a jewellery box made from lolly sticks.

Mart Solan, a 54-year-old marine biologist from Redlynch in the New Forest, is cycling approximately 1,000 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise more than £2,000 for Salisbury Women’s Refuge. He hopes the challenge will increase awareness of domestic abuse and help ensure victims can access local shelter and support. Solan has completed extensive training, received encouragement from his family, friends and colleagues, and is sharing daily progress online while seeking donations through GoFundMe.

Wiltshire councillor Rich Rogers explains his support for challenging Council Leader Ian Thorn over his simultaneous responsibility for strategic planning and ownership of Happybusiness Limited, which advertised planning-consent and political-engagement services and listed developers among its clients. Rogers stresses that the issue is not alleged criminality or improper influence, but whether the arrangement creates an appearance of a conflict of interest and damages public trust. Forty-eight councillors blocked a proposal to suspend standing orders, preventing the no-confidence motion from being debated. Thorn rejects the allegations as politically motivated and says he followed official advice, acted transparently and never influenced planning decisions.

The free Wilton Village Summer Food Festival brought artisan producers, street-food vendors, cooking demonstrations, family activities and a cake-baking competition to Wilton on July 26, 2026. Organiser Our Local Market said the event aimed to showcase Wiltshire’s food and drink businesses, support local enterprises and strengthen community ties. The first 50 visitors received strawberries and cream, while adults were offered prosecco or orange juice.

Wiltshire Council councillors rejected a proposal by Conservative councillor Pauline Church to suspend standing orders and allow a motion of no confidence in Liberal Democrat leader Ian Thorn to be debated. The proposed motion raised concerns about whether Thorn's ownership of a private business could undermine public confidence in the council's planning system, while making no allegations of corruption, dishonesty or misconduct. Thorn denied wrongdoing, said he had followed advice from the council's monitoring officer and rejected claims that he lobbied for developers. The failed procedural vote meant the no-confidence motion was never heard or put to a vote.

Ann Blake of Godshill near Fordingbridge has been named one of four finalists for the BBC Outstanding Achievement Award. Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in 2018, she has raised funds and awareness through community work and her book A Legacy of Love, supporting Muscular Dystrophy UK and Dog Aid UK. Her assistance dog, Snoopy, has helped her maintain confidence and independence, and the award winner will be announced later this year.

A family-friendly charity craft fair will be held at Sandy Balls Holiday Village near Fordingbridge on Sunday, August 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Organized by Ann Blake, the event will feature craft stalls, refreshments, activities, and performances by the Rock Choir, including a surprise flash mob. Proceeds will support Dog Aid UK and Salisbury Hospice.

A Wiltshire Police campaign during the FIFA World Cup coincided with a 33% increase in domestic abuse reports, rising from 46 to 61, and a 15.1% increase in referrals to FearFree’s support service. The force said the rise may indicate that more victims felt able to come forward. The campaign also coincided with a reduction in drink-driving charges from 40 to 37 and a slight fall in road-related offence logs. Police recorded 37 World Cup-related incidents and made 10 arrests.

The Pints & Ponytails event at Smith England salon in Salisbury taught local dads how to plait and style hair while raising money for Salisbury Hospice Charity. Organised in collaboration with Tinga, the event aimed to help fathers participate more confidently in activities involving their children and challenge assumptions about gendered responsibilities. Attendees praised the practical skills, family bonding opportunities and charitable purpose, while organisers plan a similar Plaits and Prosecco event for women.

Councillor Kevin Daley has called for an investigation into alleged health and safety failings during preparations for Salisbury’s Fayre on the Square, claiming contractors lacked toilets, handwashing facilities and drinking water. He also cited similar concerns from the previous year and requested detailed information about welfare and public facilities. Salisbury City Council defended its arrangements, saying traders had handwashing facilities, contractors and staff could use Guildhall toilets, and public toilets remained available throughout the event. The council said the welfare of workers, traders and visitors was its top priority and invited Daley to discuss his concerns directly.

Eighteen-year-old Salisbury performer Alfie Flynn has won one of 40 places at London’s Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts after competing against more than 1,200 auditionees. Having trained in singing, acting and dance since childhood, he was also runner-up in the 2025 West End Calling competition and performed lead roles in Les Misérables and Grease. He will begin a musical theatre degree in September and hopes to work in the West End and eventually on Broadway, but is seeking sponsorship to help cover his training costs.

Construction has begun at Assaye Barracks in Tidworth and Battlesbury Barracks in Warminster as part of the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Estate Optimisation programme. Around £13 million will be invested at Assaye and £37 million at Battlesbury, including a new headquarters for 1 Medical Regiment, upgraded accommodation and facilities for 2nd Battalion The Royal Yorkshire Regiment, and infrastructure supporting the Royal Lancers’ planned move to Tidworth in 2027. The projects are expected to be completed by early 2028 and form part of a wider £50 million investment in the Army estate.

Alderbury Preschool in Wiltshire has received The Smallest Things Charity’s Prem Aware Award for training staff to understand and support children and families affected by premature birth. The award recognizes efforts to remove barriers, provide inclusive settling-in and transition support, and identify developmental needs associated with prematurity.

Salisbury Trust for the Homeless support workers Hannah Pickering and Lisa Mills are walking a combined 200 miles during July to raise funds and awareness for homelessness services in Salisbury. The challenge aims to highlight the need for safe accommodation and support, with the charity relying entirely on donations because it receives no government funding. It was inspired by former chairperson Phyllis Babb’s previous £12,000 fundraising effort, and a community event is planned to mark the final mile.

High temperatures and minimal rainfall have led the Environment Agency to classify parts of the South West, including Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset and Bristol, as experiencing prolonged dry weather. Officials report low river flows, unusually warm water temperatures and incidents of fish distress, prompting interventions such as fish relocation and vegetation management. Despite a wet start to the year, uneven rainfall distribution and recent dry weeks have driven groundwater levels below normal. The National Drought Group is monitoring conditions, and the public is being urged to conserve water through practical measures.

Police are seeking witnesses after coloured perspex panels in the sensory area of the newly refurbished Bonnymead playpark in Amesbury were deliberately damaged shortly after its £500,000 reopening. Repair costs are estimated at £750, and officers plan high‑visibility patrols to deter further incidents. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the neighbourhood team quoting the provided reference number.

Wiltshire Council has introduced a new speed‑limit policy to standardise decision-making, streamline community requests and support road‑safety goals. The policy simplifies the process for adopting 20mph limits in residential and high‑activity areas, shifts assessments to the council’s traffic engineering team, and commits the council to funding evaluations and regulatory steps while local councils cover physical measures. It also outlines when speed‑limit changes are appropriate compared with other safety interventions and aligns with wider Vision Zero objectives.