PLANS to amend the opening hours of a waterside pathway in Southampton have been refused.

The waterside walkway near homes at Quay 2000 will continue to stay open from 7am to 9pm  between April 2 and September 29 and from 7am to 6pm between September 30 and April 1.

It comes as civic chiefs rejected proposals for the pathway to open between 8am and 8pm from April to October and between 8am and 4pm from November to March.

Quay 2000 RTM Company Ltd put forward the plans to amend the opening hours amid concerns over anti-social behaviour in the area.

It comes as the current opening hours were first introduced in 2019 to address concerns.

But planning bosses said the difference in hours “would not be expected to create an environment which would lead to the return of the antisocial behaviour issues”.

Andrew Mitchell, the director of Quay 2000, told councillors  that there were incidents in the area.

Speaking at the meeting of the Planning and Rights of Way Panel at Southampton City Council, Mr Mitchell said: “It is very unfair to have to live in fear for what could happen next.”

He described the proposed amended hours as a “good compromise”.

The panel was also told that Mr Mitchell was “in complete agreement” with maintaing the access to the walkway.

But Lisa Mitchell, councillor for Portswood ward, asked the panel not to amend the opening hours.

She said the majority of people who use the walkway have been “respectful”.

“It is even more important during winter months that people are able to get out of their homes”, she added.

Cllr Sarah Vaughan, panel member, said: “At the moment we have no reports of any further anti-social behaviour. I do understand that there’s anti-social behaviour but that is a police matter that the police need to get involved in.”

The panel unanimously refused the plans to reduce the opening hours.