Portswood Broadway: Protest petition to be debated by city council

A petition against the city council's proposal to shut off access for all except pedestrians, buses and taxis has hit 2,852 signatures.

It means the protest campaign mounted by Portswood residents and business owners will now be debated at a meeting of the authority.

Petition co-ordinator Karen Evans said: "It's a step in the right direction.

"We want the council to review its plans and look at other measures instead of shutting a 150-yard section of an A road."

Southampton City Council is planning to close part of Portswood Broadway to private vehicles (Image: Southampton City Council)

Civic leaders say closing Portswood Broadway between Westridge Road and Highfield Lane to private vehicles would make the district centre a more "vibrant" and "greener" place.

But objectors are determined to persuade the authority to scrap the proposal.

They claim the scheme would result in a huge number of vehicles using residential roads to bypass the section of road affected by the closure.

The petition says: "There is already a traffic problem in the surrounding areas without potentially another 12,000 cars a day adding to the congestion and pollution.

"We all want a greener environment but shifting one problem and creating another is NOT the answer."

Objectors include Portswood traders who are already struggling to cope with rising costs.

The Broadway is home to a large number of cafes, food outlets and shops, most of which have parking spaces directly outside. Business owners say outlets will not survive if motorists are no longer able to access the area.

But some of the people living in the area have voiced support for the proposal.

Chris Zardis is one of the people who supports plans to close part of Portswood Broadway (Image: Chris Zardis)

Chris Zardis, founder of Shop Local Southampton, said: "This is a well-considered scheme that will make Portswood a much more pleasant, safer, and greener environment."

Council bosses have also highlighted the environmental benefits of the scheme, saying the "parallel corridor" of Thomas Lewis Way, coupled with road improvements in the area, offer a unique opportunity to shift traffic away from Portswood Road.

Members of Southampton Street Space are supporting the scheme.

A spokesperson said: "This plan will help improve the air quality in Portswood Road, making it a more pleasant place to shop and spend time in local cafes and restaurants."

The scheme is likely to be debated by the city council in March.

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