Southampton residents have shared their views on changes to a city centre road.

Portland Terrace will become a bus, taxi, and cycle only zone between Spa Road and Castle Way Car Park.

Work to close that section of the road to traffic will start on Monday with the restriction coming into force on November 13.

Southampton City Council says the scheme - funded by the government’s Transforming Cities Fund - will create a safer environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and bus passengers and will cut bus journey times across the city by up to 10 minutes.

It will also improve bus times to the new bus hub in Albion Place set for construction early next year.

But the scheme has attracted mixed views from residents.

Daily Echo: The section of the road affected by the changesThe section of the road affected by the changes (Image: Southampton City Council)

Sharon Fountain, a 54-year-old retail worker, thinks the change is a good idea while 36-year-old Daniel Craddock, an engineer, said it will make the area safer.

Cyclists say Portland Terrace as it is now is dangerous for them due to the number of cars driving along but understand why motorists will be frustrated with this change.

Lisa Major, 53, an office worker, said: "I have come on the train and as a pedestrian I think it will be okay but I'm not sure how those with cars will feel."

Laura Smith, 60, thinks the change is an inconvenience.

She said: "I don't think it's a good idea. I think it will be inconvenient and will make it harder to drive around and it is already harder to drive."

Danny Grant, 18, is also against the move as it could cause more traffic jams due to all cars being sent the same way.

However, 20-year-old bricklayer Ethan, who didn't want to share his surname, disagrees and thinks it will actually make it easier to drive through the city centre as drivers “won’t have to drive all the way around to get to (Castle Way) car park”.

Civic Centre Road, Havelock Road, and Town Quay services and parking will still be accessible to all motorists.

Some people don’t think this change will make that much of a difference as “it is mostly busses already”.