Southampton: Work to close city centre road to traffic to begin

Work on the new bus hub at Albion Place car park on Portland Terrace is expected to start in January

Work to close a major city centre road to through traffic to create a "safer environment for all" is set to begin.

A section of Portland Terrace in Southampton, between Spa Road and Castle Way Car Park, will become a bus, taxi and cycle-only road from 13 November.

It is hoped the changes will improve bus journey times by up to 10 minutes to the new Albion Place bus hub, which is due to be built next year.

It has been funded by the government.

Southampton City Council said: "Along with bus users, the reduction in traffic along Portland Terrace will also benefit pedestrians and cyclists as it will create a safer environment for all."

Journey times for taxi drivers would also be improved, it added.

The work between Spa Road and Castle Way Car Park will start on 13 November

Following the work, all other vehicles will be able to access parking and services along Portland Terrace via Civic Centre Road/Havelock Road or Town Quay, with through traffic able to use the ring road and other local roads.

The council said it would use CCTV and if there were high levels of contraventions by motorists it would have the option to issue warning notices ahead of enforcements.

The work is part of a package of government-funded transport projects known as the Transforming Cities Fund.

Councillor Eamonn Keogh, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "We are listening to residents and in a recent survey 64% said they support transforming this area.

"The council has a long-term vision for the city centre, which is set out in our Local Transport Plan (LTP).

"We want to create a better-connected transport network and to offer people more travel options, whether that is driving, taking the bus, cycling, scooting, or walking."