Work to install a part-time bus, taxi, and cycle-only section on Portswood Road will begin on January 6, ahead of its six-month trial.
Photo: SCC
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The installation, between the St Denys Road spur and Westridge Road, is expected to take two weeks. Additional Active Travel Zones in Highfield and 20mph signage will take around three weeks.
Once operational, the bus gate will run Monday to Saturday, from 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm.
Traffic restrictions begin on January 6, with Portswood Road seeing overnight closures from January 13 for five nights (8pm to 6am) to allow resurfacing. St Denys Road spur will be closed 24 hours a day throughout.
Improvements will take place on Highfield Lane (January 6–9), before moving to Brookvale Road, Russell Place, and Belmont Road from January 13 for 11 days, with daytime closures and signed diversions in place.
As previously reported here and here, the scheme has sparked much debate: critics have often talked about a “permanent closure of Portswood Broadway to through cars” and said that it will cause “traffic chaos” and “kill” trade in the area.
Others however fear that the original plans could now have been watered down, making it harder to achieve the intended benefits, to revitalise the district centre, making it more accessible and appealing while improving air quality, road safety, and transport options for pedestrians and cyclists.
The council's project page, giving more detail about the scheme and its aims, is here.