HERE they are – these are the photographs that show the stunning transformation of some of Southampton’s most historic sites.

The ambitious plans reveal a traffic-free vision to scrap busy roads outside the city’s landmark Civic Centre and replace them with a pedestrianised route linked to Southampton’s cultural quarter.

As well as removing five lanes of road, the proposals for a new look Civic Centre Place feature European-style water features and landscaping, creating a gateway to the city centre.

The visitors’ car park at the main entrance will be swept away and replaced with two fountains and a tree-lined grass recreation area.

This will be fitting with the spirit of the the Civic Centre architect who orginally planned a rose garden there.

The major regeneration of the area forms part of a £3 billion City Centre Masterplan, which would see the city transformed over the next 25 years.

Council bosses aim to make Southampton a more integrated and pedestrianfriendly city, with traffic flow diverted around the city centre in a new ring road-style network.

The extensive blueprint will also create: Scores of new shops, restaurants and bars More than 4,500 new homes Up to 300,000 square metres of new office space More than 24,000 new jobs Other areas across the city including Charlotte Place, Western Esplanade and Southampton Central train station will also be rejuvenated under the detailed plans.

The scheme will create a ring road around the city, with Civic Centre Road no longer a five lane through route.

Instead, pavements will be extended out to create a two lane road using a concept called shared space.

This will remove much of the street furniture acting as barriers between the pedestrian and traffic.

This would discourage drivers from using the through route – although one option is to allow only buses and bicycles.

Traffic would be diverted down Havelock Road.

Environment and transport chiefs are now preparing a bid to secure funding for the proposals from the Department for Transport which, if successful, would be available after 2015.

Other phases of the city-wide development already have funding in place and could get underway late next year.

Bosses at Southampton City Council say the mammoth scheme will play a key role in developing Southampton as an “economic driver for south Hampshire”, helping to “attract jobs and create prosperity”.

The city’s environment and transport boss Cllr Asa Thorp, said: “The Master Plan identified the need to improve the quality of our city centre to make it a greater place to do business, visit and live.

“Improvement schemes in Platform Road and North of Central Station will start construction in 2013.

“The City Council is now looking to secure funding for further improvements around Central Station and Civic Centre Place, to deliver economic regeneration and significant improvements to urban quality.”

Cllr Thorpe added that a “detailed public consultation”

over the plans will be held next year.

Arthur Jeffery, acting chairman at the City of Southampton Society, gave his backing to the scheme.

He said: “It’s a very long term project, butI’malways in favour of improvements to Southampton, as long as they are positive and help citizens of the city.

“Giving them better access to shops and buildings on foot is without doubt a good thing.

This will allow people to get around the city without being in fear of fast moving traffic.”

Mr Jeffery also said the masterplan could have a positive impact on the city’s tourist industry.

He added: “We are a port of call for cruise ships and we should be entertaining visitors.

We don’t do that well enough at the moment.

“This will certainly help us to do that by attracting people into the city from the docks."

• Additional reporting by Luke Tugby.