THOUSANDS of drivers will be stopped from driving down a high street as part of major improvement plans for Portswood.

Southampton City Council wants to close part of Portswood Broadway to cars in order to make the busy shopping street a ‘more attractive place’.

Buses and taxis would still be allowed down the stretch as part of the Portswood district centre improvements.

The scheme would also install more zebra crossings, speed limits, and widened pavements.

A statement on the council's website Connecting Southampton said: “Portswood Broadway is the heart of Portswood local centre.

"Currently, it sees approximately 6,000 northbound and 6,000 southbound vehicle trips per day, however, visitors to Broadway already travel overwhelmingly by sustainable modes; in recent surveys over 50 per cent said they walked to Broadway, with a further 22 per cent travelling by bus.” 

The bus-only section would be at ‘some point between’ Westridge Road and Highfield Lane but changes would include St Denys Road and Lodge Road/ Portswood Road Junction.

The aim is to turn the district centre into a ‘vibrant’ place with no through traffic - other than buses and taxis.

A ‘parallel corridor’ of Thomas Lewis Way, and the improvements to its junction which are currently underway, enable the ‘unique opportunity’ to shift traffic away from Portswood Road, planners say.

The council says the proposals include ‘significant bus priority upgrades and improved facilities for cycling, walking and e-scooting’.

The hope is that this will create ‘a greener environment for everyone living, working, studying and spending time in Portswood’.

Councillor Eamonn Keogh, cabinet member for transport and district regeneration said: “I am really pleased with these ambitious proposals for Portswood which will not only improve road safety and reduce bus journey times, but will also improve connectivity to and from the city to the district centre and so make our neighbourhoods enjoyable places to live, work, study and spend time.

“I am looking forward to working with communities to understand what residents and visitors think of the proposals to help shape the regeneration of this district centre.”

Cllr Keogh said: “As a Labour administration we are determined to improve your journey, however you travel throughout the city, whether walking, cycling, scooting or driving.”

However, for motorists wanting to drive from one side of the district centre to the other, the plans may not be so favourable, as they will have to find another route.

Local residents will receive a letter which will detail how to take part in the survey. There will also be a Consultation Event at October Books on Tuesday, October 4 where they can give feedback on the proposals in person.

The survey can be found on Connecting Southampton and will be open until Sunday, October 23.

If the plans go ahead, construction will begin in summer 2023.