MULTI-MILLION pound plans for “a never-before-seen transformation” of Southampton city centre have been unveiled.
A number of roads could be closed to through traffic while several areas of the city centre are set to undergo a major makeover as part of a £18.5m scheme.
The news comes as civic chiefs have unveiled plans to transform the way people move in and around Southampton.
According to the proposals unveiled by Southampton City Council, Civic Centre Place is set to be transformed.
The existing traffic lights outside the civic centre would be removed to make way for new crossings, wider pavements and new cycle lanes.
All traffic coming from the west would be able to pass between Civic Centre Place and Park Walk.
But from Park Walk onwards as far as East Park Terrace and Palmerston Road, the road will be open to buses, taxis and cyclists only.
It comes as New Road would be closed to through traffic between Park Walk and East Park Terrace and Palmerston Road.
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Another angle of how Civic Centre Place could look
Taxis, buses and cyclists would continue to have access.
The move would lead to changes to Six Dials where the number of lanes moving through the junction to the east and west would be reduced.
This would particularly affect the lanes heading to New Road westbound, according to the council.
Lanes to east and west would also be narrowed to make way for new development space near the car park between Kingsway and New Road.
Traffic signals at Six Dials would be updated and the existing subways would be improved.
As part of the scheme, a new bus hub would be created at Albion Place car park on Portland Terrace.
The site is expected to have more bus stops, waiting facilities and real-time travel information as well as shared e-mobility such as e-scooters.
An artist’s impression of how Civic Centre Place could look, complete with a new roundabout
The nearby Castle Way car park would be turned into an urban park while Portland Terrace - between Spa Road and Shopmobility - would be closed to through traffic.
It comes as that part of the road would be turned into a bus lane which would remain open to buses, taxis and cyclists only.
A number of improvements such as the widening of pavements, more bus stops and enhanced taxi rank are planned for Above Bar Street.
A transport interchange is instead planned for the south side of Southampton Central Station.
The area would see e-scooter and cycle parking, more bus stops and taxi drop off and pick up facilities.
There would also be new crossings connecting the railway station and the Toys R Us site which is also set to be revamped.
Meanwhile, Saltmarsh Road - between Itchen Bridge and Royal Crescent - would be closed to through traffic and turned into a bus lane for buses, taxis and cyclists only.
Another area that will benefit will be Southampton central station
The city council said the changes would be supported by improvements to A3024 Northern Ring Road.
It comes as last month the authority unveiled plans to reduce the number of traffic lights along the ring road and replace the remaining traffic lights with ‘traffic signal technology’ able to respond to changing traffic conditions in a bid to better manage traffic flows.
An initial survey on the changes proposed for the city centre will run until March 19.
A series of online events and workshops will be held over the coming months but dates are yet to be confirmed.
If the plans are approved, work will be carried out in phases between autumn 2021 and summer 2022.
Statutory consultations will take place for each individual city centre scheme, the council said.The feedback from each cosultation will then be analysed and considered before a final decision is made by the authority in consultation with Cllr Steve Leggett, the cabinet member for green city and place.
Talking about the scheme he said: “As our population and economy continue to grow, it’s imperative to think differently about transport in Southampton. Today’s announcement marks the beginning of a never-before-seen transformation that will re-write the rule book on how people move in and around the city centre. These £18.5m plans outline a bold reimagining of our city centre, reclaiming space for people while ensuring that our road network is well-equipped to boost productivity and support future growth. As ever, my thanks go to our hard-working transport team for their forward-thinking plans that continue to put Southampton at the forefront of sustainable transport innovation.”
How Six Dials, Southampton could look
Cllr Steven Galton, shadow cabinet member for transport, raised concerns over the proposals and the impact they would have on the city.
He said: "Hard hit and struggling businesses need the Council's full support right now, not these hare-brained, ideologically driven plans. Residents trying to get to work, or to do the weekly shop don't want to be stuck in even more Labour made traffic jams."
Funding for the scheme will come from Transforming Cities Fund from central government.
The indicative timescale for each scheme is as follows:
- New Road – start date: Spring 2022
- Six Dials Junction – start date: Summer 2022
- Civic Centre Place – start date: Spring 2022
- Northern Inner Ring Road – start date: Autumn 2021
- Central Station Interchange – start date: Early Spring 2022
- Albion Place Bus Hub – start date: Summer 2022
- Bus Lane on Portland Terrace (between Spa Road and Shopmobility) – start date: Late Autumn 2021
- Bus Lane on Saltmarsh Road (from Itchen Bridge) – start date: Autumn 2021
- Above Bar Street – start date: Autumn 2022
The survey can be viewed by visiting www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/XCS5MBF
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