The start of controversial restrictions on a busy city road have been met with a mixed response from traders who say there has already been a drop in footfall - and surrounding roads are clogged up.

Some traders told the Daily Echo restrictions at Portswood Broadway will seriously harm business - with a drop in customers on Monday in the first few hours of its operation.

It was the first day that some of the road was only open to buses, taxis and cyclists at peak times.

Most traffic, including cars, are barred from the route from 7am-10am and 4pm-7pm. This is part of a Southampton City Council trial which will end in six months.

READ MORE: Portswood Broadway shuts to cars as trial closure begins

The start of the zone on Portswood RoadThe start of the zone on Portswood Road (Image: NQ)

The trial closure of Portswood Broadway in SouthamptonThe trial closure of Portswood Broadway in Southampton (Image: Southampton City Council)

The council believes that the scheme would improve bus reliability and journey times, and the availability of different transport in the city.

Traders, many of whom live in the area, have had a mixed reaction to the scheme.

Yildirim Ordu is a manager at the Poppins Restaurant and Café on Portswood Road. He is concerned that the scheme could have a severe effect on the area.

He said: "It is going to kill the street.

"Early morning we get so many customers, but this morning has been dead because people going to work they came in to get drinks and a quick sandwich and they couldn't today."

Read more: Portswood Broadway closure to start in 2025, council says

Yildirim OrduYildirim Ordu (Image: NQ)

Ashlyn Frank works as a barista at Muse Coffee on Portswood Road. She said: "It is very early days. 

"A lot of our customers are the workers who come before 9am, they have not stopped coming. 

"As someone who lives in this area and uses the road quite a bit I find it a little inconvenient.

"It's only a small part of the road so you think there isn't much point, and it bogs up the other roads."

Ashlyn FrankAshlyn Frank (Image: NQ)

Parth Patel's family run the Kitchen Kingdom fish and chip shop on Portswood Road. He thinks the scheme will encourage people to use public transport, and increase footfall in the area.

He said: "It is a wonderful scheme. There are lots of cars here, and there is a parking issue. 

"It will encourage people to walk around and use public transport."

Parth PatelParth Patel (Image: NQ)

Tyler Jones, the owner of Flagship Coffee on Portswood Road said: "I think we have seen two or three hundred cars go through this morning. No one has noticed the sign.

"The timing is the peak hours so it is not beneficial. It just congests the other roads."

Tyler said he would like to see the extra pavement space utilised by businesses for things such as seating.

Tyler JonesTyler Jones (Image: NQ)

Penny Moore from Bitterne frequently uses the road.

She said: "I am not sure it is a good idea. It is a major road and it will mean traffic will have to go down residential streets which I don't think is the best option really. It is a nice idea, but I am not sure how practical it is."

Penny MoorePenny Moore (Image: NQ)

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: "It is just forcing all the traffic everywhere else. It is just that tiny bit, it is a waste of time and money."