Businesses thrilled over plans to permanently pedestrianise Carlton Place, Southampton

Yesterday, Southampton City Council proposed investing £1.2million into Carlton Place to upgrade the temporary closure.

It was first closed to traffic in August 21, 2020.

• £1.2m plans revealed to permanently pedestrianise Southampton street

The plans have been met with support from a number of local business owners, who are welcoming the permanent closure.

Ged Gorrie, the owner and manager of Shenanigans, said the closure of the road was a "huge success" last year.

"The whole vibe of the area was enhanced," he told the Daly Echo.

"We are just a little bit off of the [closed area] but a lot of our customers keep asking us if the closure will be permanent.

"I'm really pleased the Council has put in plans for this."

Owners of Gaia Health Store, Andre and Emma Moreira, opened their store on Carlton Place last month.

They said: "We are thrilled to see this area gain so much investment after recently opening our store in Carlton Place.

"We believe the improvements and enhancements to the area will be welcomed by locals and attract even more visitors to this quarter of Southampton, which will be of benefit to the local community and businesses here.

"We are already receiving great feedback from our new customers about how we have lifted the area with our health store and we look forward to seeing this area grow even more."

Caroline French is the managing director of W.J. French & Son, which has been in Bedford Place since 1890 and has seen five generations of her family live there.

She said: "The proposal is an exciting opportunity to invest in Bedford Place and Carlton Place which will attract new footfall to the area and encourage people to stay longer.

"The scheme will improve our environment both aesthetically with lighting, improved layout and street furniture and will help create a safer area with some traffic calming measures and pavement improvements.”

Lesley Gilder, local resident, said: “I am delighted with the plans to enhance the ambience of Bedford Place. The area has a unique significance for the city providing high quality shops, cafes and restaurants in an architecturally protected area within walking distance of the centre. The plan to promote the area visually, manage traffic and plant trees, will enhance the atmosphere, attract attention and activity - bring it back to life.”

The new cash will also include making neighbouring Bedford Place - which was also closed to traffic during the pandemic, but reopened on July 20 this year - safer for pedestrians.

The plans state that Carlton Place will be enhanced with a square at the junction with Upper and Lower Bannister Street to provide a space that is suitable for use as an event space, or for weekend markets, and will provide an outdoor dining area that is more accessible.

The temporary barriers currently in use on Carlton Place will also be replaced with high quality permanent alternatives.

On Bedford Place, it is proposed measures to reduce traffic speed include positioning of wider pedestrian areas at specific points along the street, with enhanced lighting, greenery and seating.

The council will reinforce a wider 20mph speed limit planned for the Polygon area. Structures will be placed at the top and bottom of Bedford Place and the entrance to Carlton Place to clearly define the area’s arrival points.

The plans were made with the help of the Bedford Place Co-Design Working Group. This included both residents and local businesses as well as other key stakeholder groups who put forward their ideas for the future of the area.