Southampton traffic: Is the city among the worst in UK for congestion

During the last month, the city's commuters have spoken out about their annoyance caused by long queues of traffic - with some even seeking to leave their homes.

What seems like endless roadworks, dozens of traffic lights, troublesome queues, and worrying pollution are all hot topics for those living and working in the city.

But is Southampton the worst city for traffic in the UK?

Here's what's been going on the city:

Roadworks

Delays on Redbridge Causeway (Image: Newsquest)

One lane of Redbirgde Causeway closed this week causing heavy delays during peak times.

One reader, Jackie Parker, described the traffic as "very distressing" while teams work to replace the bridge parapet (barrier) just before the Totton bypass.

The lane closure is causing long delays for motorists during rush-hour with motorists stuck in queues for up to 40 minutes.

Queues have even been seen heading back towards Nursling on the M271.

The works started on October 3 and are set to finish on December 2.

As well as this, Bitterne Road West is closed to motorists and residents from 8pm to 6am from until Friday, November 4.

The road closure is to allow for the carriageway to be resurfaced and to raise the manhole covers.

The road is partially reopened with a single-lane closure in place, which is causing queues of traffic to build during peak times.

Congestion

Traffic on Regents Park Road (Image: Newsquest)

In 2021, it was reported that Southampton is the is the eighth most congested city in the country.

The data came from location technology specialist, TomTom, which showed that the South remains the most congested area in the UK.

he area is home to five of the countries top 10 congested cities, including Southampton, which ranked fourth in the South.

The constant stand-still traffic is proving to be too much for some residents, who have even considered leaving their homes.

People living along Regents Park Road near Costco say shoppers and drivers seeking cheaper petrol leave their street “jam packed" and that "they can’t get in or out due to traffic from Costco".

Residents says that sometimes traffic is so terrible that it tails back onto Millbrook Road West.

Stark Jason (Image: Newsquest)

Jason Stark said: "I want to move, some of my neighbours have also wanted to move because they’ve had enough and so have we.

“It’s really frustrating.

“It is very disappointing; I’d move tomorrow if I could, I’ve just completely had enough.”

Residents have also expressed concerns around weekend traffic with cruise ships visiting the city, rail strikes, shoppers heading Westquay, and football fans heading to St Mary's Stadium. 

Pollution 

Brinton's Road in Southampton has recorded 'colosally high levels' of Nitrogen Dioxide (Image: Newsquest)

Many Southampton residents are struggling with the pollution that plagues the city. 

In January, data from Southampton City Council showed a level of 211 micrograms NO2 in Brinton’s Road - more than the legal limit of 40 micrograms.

A reading taken on the A33 near Redbridge Community School hit 97 micrograms.

Data also shows that 29,300 residents are thought to be living within dangerous levels of road noise pollution in the city. 

Figures from the European Environmental Agency shows that Southampton has one of the highest percentages of residents exposed to road traffic noise pollution.

It makes the city the 12th worst place in the UK.

What is the solution? 

When asked what the council is doing to ease congestion across the city, a spokesperson said: "Southampton City Council are making a number of improvements within the City to improve the flow of traffic as well as reduce the amount of traffic on the roads.

"The Transforming Cities Fund which was awarded by the Department for Transport has already delivered key infrastructure and safety traffic schemes, See Latest transport & traffic updates - Connecting Southampton for more details. These schemes will enable the delivery of bold and ambitious projects to prioritise sustainable travel in both residential areas and on key corridors into the City.

"We are also making bus travel more affordable with our 5 for £5 offer. The offer allows groups of up to five people to travel at weekends on Bluestar and Unilink services, City Red services or Southampton Mini Link buses and pay just £5 for the whole day. The offer has proved so popular, with around 23,000 tickets being sold, that we are extending it into the autumn.

"E-scooters are another popular option to travel around the city, they are an affordable, safe alternative to the car and, thanks to the growing number of parking rack locations, are more convenient too.

"At the end of this week a new bike and ebike sharing scheme called ‘Beryl Bikes By Breeze’ will be launched where riders can hire pedal and ebikes through an online app."