PLANS to block Portswood Broadway to cars are likely to fail, according to Southampton Green Party.

Residents, businesses and charities are up in arms about the city council's plan to make the area passable for buses and taxis-only.

Despite this, the party does in essence agree with the plans.

John Spottiswoode, spokesperson for the Southampton Green Party said: “(We) surveyed the shop owners in 2019 about pedestrianising Portswood Road shopping area.

READ MORE: Fears road closure will create 'rat run' for 12,000 cars

“The problem here is that the council is trying to (improve the environment) without putting the right infrastructure in place, hence it has caused upset to local residents and so a potentially good scheme is likely to fail.”

Mr Spottiswoode confirmed however that the Green Party is ‘in favour’ of plans that make Southampton a greener city.

He said: “Pedestrianisation may go some way the achieve this. Research shows that commerce can rise if pedestrianisation is done properly.

“Generally the shop keepers were afraid that there would be less passing trade but this might be counteracted by the increased footfall from making the area a cleaner and more pleasant place to shop.”

READ MORE: Portswood will be ‘enhanced’ if Broadway is closed

Katherine Barbour, the Green candidate for MP offered her views on the plans, which are set to begin construction in the Summer of 2023 – and see a stretch of the broadway closed to private cars.

Ms Barbour said: “I am in favour of ways to reduce the through traffic on Portswood Road.

“Cars going from Eastleigh to the city centre often use this route. They could travel on Thomas Lewis Way and avoid our broadway.

“I think it is a good idea to have a bus gate around the Mitre and I would be in favour of just buses, taxis and bicycles going all the way to Portswood Shopping Centre.

“The pollution levels are high on this street as cars queue to go through the lights.

READ MORE: 'We won’t survive’: Outrage at plans to close Portswood Broadway

“In order to get the speed of buses around the city we need to do things to ensure they get to the bus stops on timetable. We probably need some more bus lanes as most cities have.”

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook

"