Portswood bus gate statistics: Councillor Eamonn Keogh

The newly released stats show that the bus gate has slightly improved cycle traffic despite a small decrease in pedestrian flow, significantly reduced vehicle traffic, and increased bus punctuality.

The Southampton City Council's cabinet member for Environment and Transport councillor Eamonn Keogh, who has stood at the forefront of the scheme, says he still believes in the scheme despite the controversy.

This table shows shows a slight increase among cyclists (Image: Southampton City Council)

READ MORE: Calls for Eamonn Keogh to resign over Portswood Road bus gate

He says he "will not be resigning", despite opposition councillors calling on him to step down over the scheme, which they called a "disaster".

Cllr Eamonn Keogh said: "The results have proven that during bus gated times we are seeing significant improvements.

"We have seen improvements in footfall and the cycling stats are encouraging.

"However, we are only two months in, we still need to asses it over the full six-month period."

This table shows the dramatic decrease in traffic using the road, even during un-gated hours (Image: Southampton City Council)

READ MORE: Residents tell of 'nightmare traffic' after road closure

The scheme has proven controversial, with residents and businesses saying the scheme is "killing" the high street.

A protest against the scheme is planned for the two-month anniversary on Saturday, March 22, from 11am starting in front of the Trago Lounge.

"I have spent some time on the high street and spoke to a number of business owners," added cllr Keogh.

"There were a number of owners saying it is not having a detrimental effect, but that they would like to see more improvements, which may come if the scheme becomes permanent.

"There were other businesses that where saying they have had some impact on their footfall.

"The difficulty is deciding what factors are causing that, it could be the general state of the economy nationally. It is too early to tell."

Bus punctuality has improved (Image: Southampton City Council)

Cllr Keogh added that this scheme is a necessary step towards the council and government's objective of prioritising 'active travel'.

He says that Southampton must move towards a bus based transit system, of which Portswood scheme is the first step, as the current car based network "isn't working".

The stats show that while traffic has decreased by 30 per cent, it has not moved to the preferred alternative route of Thomas Lewis Way, likely because they are instead taking back roads, primarily Brookvale Road.

Cllr Keogh says a road safety survey has been conducted on Brookvale Road, the results of which will be published today, says that "no further action is required" to address the increased traffic on the route.