Hundreds protest against Portswood Broadway pedestrianisation plans

Objectors fear the scheme would create a one-mile diversion for 12,000 car journeys

Hundreds of campaigners have taken to the streets of Southampton to protest against a controversial pedestrianisation scheme.

Southampton City Council wants to install a bus gate on Portswood Broadway and close it to cars for part of the day.

The idea was announced three years ago as part of a bid to make the district "greener and more vibrant".

Objectors fear it would create a one-mile diversion for 12,000 car journeys.

After campaigns and a record-breaking petition, the city council voted to go ahead with the scheme - beginning with a six-month part-time pilot - on 12 January.

According to the second public consultation for the scheme, 60% of respondents agreed with the plan.

However, objectors said the second consultation, which was produced due to the first one at the end of 2022 being "weighted", also suffered from the same issue.

Protestors have said both consultations on the scheme were "weighted"

Armed with banners, whistles and a loudspeaker, the group marched the length of the road on Saturday chanting "SOS Save our Portswood".

Last year it emerged that the £2.9m that is being spent on the scheme, which came as a grant from the Department for Transport, would have to be given back if it did not go ahead, or is not relocated.

However, relocation would have to be done by April 2024 - increasing the risk of losing the money.

The plan is for the road, between Highfield Lane and Westbridge Road, to be closed for cars between 07:00 and 10:00 every morning and 16:00 and 19:00 every afternoon.

It will be reviewed every six months for a year and a half and then the council will decide whether to make the closure permanent.

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