As part of its long-term transport strategy, and using specific government funding, Southampton City Council undertook several rounds of engagement since Autumn 2020 on a scheme on Portswood Road – now known as the Portswood Bus Gate.
The proposal had three elements: to make Portswood Road (between the Mitre and Westridge Road) accessible only to buses, taxis, bikes and Voi scooters; to enhance the physical space in Portswood by, for example, widening the pavements, increasing the planting and creating a large hub for sustainable travel; to introduce traffic-calming and reducing measures in key roads such as Brookvale Road. (NB The term ‘bus gate’ does not refer to a physical gate – there is no actual barrier to vehicles entering Portswood at any time but unauthorised vehicles using it while the bus gate is in operation will be fined).
The overall aims of the scheme were:
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To regenerate and make Portswood District Centre a more attractive, accessible, vibrant and competitive economic destination so people spend more time and money here;
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To improve the air quality, environment and biodiversity;
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To provide more space for people walking and wheeling with improved connectivity and road safety;
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To improve the choices of transport modes for people to use;
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To improve bus reliability and journey times and create better bus stops;
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To enhance quality of life for all who live, work or shop in the area;
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To reduce the amount of through route traffic on local roads;
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To reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.
The Council carried out a focus group on campus as part of the consultation and attendees were overwhelmingly in favour of the Bus Gate proposal and making Portswood a more pleasant space to spend time. The results of the public consultation received 1,371 submissions with 60% of respondents saying that it will make Portswood a more attractive area. Following objections raised by some local shops, the Council voted to trial a part-time bus gate for six months, whereby cars are not allowed to access Portswood Road during morning and evening rush hour but can access as normal during the day. Only very limited enhancements have been made to the public spaces in Portswood (eg additional cycle racks) and the traffic-calming measures have been introduced in Brookvale Road and Belmont Road.
The trial period runs until July 2025 and results are being monitored by a Steering Group which SUSU is part of. We would really like to hear your thoughts as to how well the trial is working and what you would like to happen in future. One in four local residents in Portswood are students and we want to make sure their views are heard at Steering Group meetings. Please take five minutes to answer the short questions below and help us represent students locally.