THE newly-elected Green councillor for Portswood has said a scheme to pedestrianise a major road has "polarised" the community.

Councillor Katharine Barbour said that four years ago there had been a lot of enthusiasm for a change to the high street.

But she said now there's a "real polarisation" and people have concerns about the current proposed scheme.

Part of the proposal will see Portswood Broadway closed to private traffic between St Deny's Road and Westridge Road.

Daily Echo: Portswood Broadway proposals.

Cllr Barbour said: "At the moment the big issue in Portswood is around the Broadway and people's concerns about a plan being put forward by the Labour administration which has a lot of issues and a lot of concerns for local people about rat runs being created and the impact on the trade.

"I interviewed all of the traders four years ago about changing the nature of Portswood High Street and at that time there was quite a lot of enthusiasm for traders.

"Sadly at the moment there's been a real polarisation so that's not being reflected at the moment."

Daily Echo:

She added: "There are some conversations to be had and obviously to look at what Labour are proposing when they come back to council and to see how we can ensure that people's voices are heard - the impact on traders and whether the High Street will die.

"At the moment people are concerned because there's been a proliferation of takeaway shops and so that then brings a lot of motorbikes waiting to pick up their deliveries.

"They tend to park on the pavement so people feel a bit intimidated.

"These are all things that impact on people's experience of going to their local shopping street and we want to encourage people to do that.

"So I'm saying to everybody, shop local."

A second consultation is due to take place this summer.

The city council proposal says: "To make Portswood District Centre a more attractive place and reduce the detrimental impact on residents and visitors of too much through traffic, we are proposing restrictions to through traffic with only buses being able to drive through the entirety of the District Centre."

See transport.southampton.gov.uk