CONTROVERSIAL plans to transform Portswood by reducing through traffic "are nowhere near as drastic" as those put forward in other parts of Southampton, supporters say.
Last year, Southampton City Council outlined their plans to make Portswood a ‘more attractive place’ by partly pedestrianising the Broadway
The proposals have been met with backlash and support from residents and business owners alike.
A protest was held on Saturday against the proposed changes, but supporters say there is ‘misunderstanding’ surrounding the plans.
Shop Local Southampton founder Chris Zardis is an advocate for the improvements.
He said: “At the end of a journey we all have to navigate the roads outside a car, so this is not an 'us and them' issue, we all stand to benefit from a safer, less polluted, greener and more pleasant Portswood.
“Places that are nice to spend time in attract people for longer, and the longer people spend in an area the more money they tend to spend.
“I understand that change can be daunting, but if you look into the details of what's being proposed here it is nowhere near as drastic as Above Bar or other full pedestrianisations such as Bitterne.
“Portswood will remain lively. In fact, I fully expect it to become more bustling.”
READ MORE: Axing Portswood Broadway scheme could 'cost Southampton millions'
Climate activist and Portswood resident Lyn Brayshaw said it’s ‘all about the kind of future we want.’
She told the Echo: “Thirty years ago people didn't feel they had the right to drive everywhere and people were able to do food shopping using trolleys, bags, rucksacks, and panniers.
“All our council is trying to do is to make our streets safer and more pleasant.
“We must look after this planet and our local area.”
A Highfield resident, 38, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I welcome the aims of improving bus reliability, improving cycling safety and accessibility, and developing the public realm.
“I would be more likely to spend money at local food places such as Kate's Cafe and Scoops Gelato in the summer - the traffic levels currently make it quite unpleasant to sit outside on a hot day, and as such they are not always my first choice of venue.”
The council said it has noted the concerns that the public have with the Portswood Corridor scheme and will work to gather additional information this spring, such as updated traffic counts.
The main issues were that the introduction of the bus gate, which would see through traffic redirected onto Thomas Lewis Way, and concerns this would increase journey times for car drivers, harm the economy and cause overspill of traffic onto roads.
The updated information will be presented as part of the second phase of the consultation to be held in the summer.
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Cllr Eamonn Keogh, cabinet member for district regeneration said: “Many people expressed support for the scheme.
“We also noted concerns about the effects on the local economy if part of Portswood Broadway is closed to general traffic.
“As a result, we have commissioned an independent assessment on the economic impact of the scheme.
“The promised independent economic assessment is underway, and I would like to thank local retailers for their participation.
“The report, along with additional traffic data will be presented during the second phase of consultation this Summer, when everyone will have the opportunity to view and comment on the findings.
“I would like to reiterate that no decision will be made on the scheme until everyone’s views have properly been taken into account during the consultation.”
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