Work starts on pedestrianisation plan for city road

The Portswood Project trial will run for six months

Work is underway to install a bus gate, ahead of the start of a controversial plan to partially pedestrianise a busy city road.

Southampton City Council is introducing a bus, taxi and cycle-only section of Portswood Road, aimed at improving air quality and enhancing the quality of life.

The Portswood Broadway Project will limit car travel on the stretch of road from Westridge Road to St Denys Road spur and is due to be trialled over six months.

Preparatory roadworks are expected to last for three weeks and, once completed, the scheme, will operate from Monday to Saturday between 07:00 and 10:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00.

The scheme will see a bus, taxi and cycle-only section of Portswood Road

Active travel zones (ATZs) will also be introduced in neighbouring streets to encourage walking and cycling.

In January 2024, hundreds of campaigners took to the street to protest against the scheme, claiming it would create a one-mile diversion for 12,000 car journeys.

The local authority said the plans had been developed after consultation with the Portswood community and with advice from a local steering group.

During the trial, access will be maintained northbound through the bus gate for delivery lorries, with a loading bay proposed for St Denys Road spur.

Speaking in October Eamonn Keogh, the council's environment and transport lead, said: "We appreciate that there are strong feelings within the Portswood community both for and against the proposals, which is why we are progressing with this trial which will provide more evidence to inform future decisions.

He said the authority would continue to "monitor the implementation, progress and outcomes of the trial".

Andrew Wickham, the managing director for the Bluestar and Unilink bus services, previously said: "The introduction of this priority scheme will allow our vehicles to traverse Portswood Road at peak times, ahead of private cars, ensuring our services are more frequent and reliable here."

Hundreds of residents have opposed the scheme