Hundreds of drivers flouted restrictions on the first day of a controversial closure at Portswood Road.

More than four years in the making and funded by nearly £3m in government cash, the scheme was largely ignored by motorists on Monday.

In just 15 seconds some 12 vehicles were spotted driving through the restricted area between the St Denys spur and Westridge Road.

Around 10 cyclists were seen using the road in a 30-minute period on Monday morning.

Disgruntled resident John Nightingale described the whole scheme as a “farce”.

The 78-year-old who lives in the nearby Abbotts Road walked to the high street to watch the start of the trial.

He said: “I have lived in the area for 34 years and this is a silly idea.

“To be honest, people are simply going to find routes to avoid this area, and it will slow down the buses using the bus gate on their other routes, which defeats the object.

“People are taking no notice whatsoever of the closure. There is not enough information on the roads about this.”

(Image: Newsquest) He added: “I’m pleased to see there is disabled parking on the road but if the scheme goes ahead, there is not going to be much parking for those who want to pop here for a shop.”

Only buses, taxis, and cyclists are allowed on the restricted part of the road from 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm as part of the six-month trial.

The scheme has been met with fierce opposition and support since the plans were unveiled nearly five years ago.

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The council launched a survey in late 2020 on the scheme to gather people’s opinions on the area.

The results were presented in December 2020 and January 2021, and found that out of the 195 respondents, only three were in favour of the bus priority option.

But plans continued to progress, prompting a petition against the proposals that garnered 2,868 signatures.

This made it the only e-petition of 2022/2023 to make it to council.

For Conservative Cllr Jeremy Moulton, the trial is simply a “softening up exercise” for the road to be closed to cars eventually.

He dubbed drivers flouting the rules as “inevitable”.

Cllr Moulton said: “People will not be aware of the closure and will drive through as normal.

“My take on it is if it is causing congestion on side roads when not everyone is aware of it, when everyone does know and it is in force, that will make congestion worse.

“The council has already made up its mind and I disagree with it completely.”

Tyler Jones, owner of Flagship Coffee on the high street, was among those watching the “hundreds” of cars breezing through the closure.

Tyler Jones of Flagship CoffeeTyler Jones of Flagship Coffee (Image: Newsquest) READ NEXT: What to expect as busy road closes to cars from today

The 24-year-old said: “I do not think the trial closure has been greatly marked or signposted.

“I do not understand why they did not do the trial in the spring or summer. It would encourage people to the area.

“But I do not think the closure will drive people away.”

One resident, who did not want to be named, was also watching the scene unfold.

They said: "The cars just seem to be driving around normally.

"No one seems to be even hesitating.

"Your options are very limited. You have to either do a U-turn or go down a road you are unfamiliar with.”

Southampton City Council was approached for a comment.