Portswood bus gate: Petition to 'immediately suspend' trial

Some 360 people have signed the e-petition on the Southampton City Council website, which asks the local authority to reconsider the six-month trial.

The current project means that between Westridge Road and St Denys spur road, Portswood Broadway is only open to buses, taxis and cyclists from 7am to 10am, and 4pm to 7pm, Monday to Saturday.

READ MORE: Portswood Broadway: Drivers who flout rules will be fined

Drivers who ignore the controversial road closure more than once will be fined, receiving a Penalty Charge Notice of £70, as confirmed by the council on February 5.

The petition states that "increased traffic on surrounding residential roads" since the trial went live has caused "major hazards and disruptions".

Several drivers flouted road restrictions on the first day of the Portswood Broadway closure trial, resulting in Southampton City Council quickly enforcing the rules. (Image: Newsquest) Organisers believe that "children, older people and people with disabilities" have been put at "serious risk".

Southampton City Council has since responded to the Echo, confirming that a further independent road safety audit will be undertaken this week to make sure the area is safe.

READ MORE: 'It's clogging up the roads' - Traders react to restrictions on Portswood Broadway

On the petition page, organisers said: “Commuters and residents across a wider area are now facing heightened risks and delays.

“We call on Southampton City Council to stop the trial immediately and to explore alternative solutions which manage through traffic effectively whilst protecting local residents and safeguarding local shops.”

Cllr Jeremy Moulton says the bus gate is 'clearly not working.' Councillor Jeremy Moulton has signed the petition, explaining that he has had "dozens of people" write to him in the last few days to express their views on the controversial trial.

“My feeling is that over 90 per cent of the people living in the Highfield want the trial suspended immediately,” the ward member for Millbrook said.

“I think someone’s going to get hurt. If it isn’t removed soon, there’s a real risk someone is going to get injured."

Southampton City Council respond to safety concerns

Councillor Eammon Keogh responded to safety councils raised by those running the petition. (Image: Newsquest) Councillor Eammon Keogh, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport at Southampton City Council, told the Echo that several safety measures have been put in place to cope with extra traffic.

These include 20mph speed limits, adjusted build outs to reduce speed along Brookvale Road and a traffic filter at Russell Place.

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

Cllr Keogh said: "A Road Safety Audit was undertaken on the design of the measures with a further audit programmed following the implementation of the measures.

"The Portswood Project trial is thoroughly monitored, and feedback from residents and stakeholders is continuously reviewed, and based on the feedback, adjustments to the ATZ measures have already been made.

"We will continue to monitor and take feedback on board as the trial continues and this will include any feedback that we are given as a result of this petition.

“The council has also commissioned a further independent road safety audit of Brookvale Road to take place in the week beginning the 24 February and this will inform if any adjustments are needed to the measures currently in operation at this location."