A controversial plan to reopen a junction in Totton town centre has been put on hold following protests about the scheme.

Hampshire County Council has drawn up proposals to create a new bus-only route by removing a section of pavement that separates Commercial Road from the northern end of Junction Road.

The plan aims to improve bus services by cutting journey times between Southampton and Totton.

Under the scheme, northbound buses will turn left out of Junction Road before using the Asda roundabout to turn around and head towards Southampton.

Southbound buses will turn into Junction Road, missing out a bus stop in Ringwood Road.

Daily Echo: Plans to reopen a junction in the centre of Totton have been put on hold after objections to the schemePlans to reopen a junction in the centre of Totton have been put on hold after objections to the scheme (Image: Cllr David Harrison)

But the scheme has come under fire from Totton county councillor David Harrison and is also being opposed by Totton and Eling Town Council.

Posting on social media Cllr Harrison said he had "encouraging" news to report following the county council's budget meeting.

"The executive member for universal services, Cllr Nick Adams-King, told me the agenda item which would have resulted in a decision about the opening up of Junction Road had been removed.

"He told me he didn't want to approve something which doesn't have the support of the local county councillor and so he has agreed to undertake a site visit so he can better understand the reasons why I think this is a bad idea."

Daily Echo: Plans to reopen a junction in the centre of Totton have been put on hold after objections to the schemePlans to reopen a junction in the centre of Totton have been put on hold after objections to the scheme (Image: Cllr David Harrison)

Cllr Harrison said he was unable to guarantee that the scheme would not be approved at a later date.

But he added: "I'm pleased the objections are to be fully considered, including the impact on the bus stop in Ringwood Road, the effect on Junction Road, and the chaos that will ensue if roadworks are undertaken on the main road through the town centre."

One person replying to Cllr Harrison's post said a public consultation had sparked responses from 32 people, 28 of whom were against the plan.

Earlier this month Cllr Harrison met county council officers and provided them with "12 good reasons" why the scheme should be dropped.

Speaking at the time he said the plan to remove a section of pavement "runs counter to other policies aimed at improving the pedestrian experience".

He added: "Another negative is that buses entering Junction Road and travelling south means cutting out the well-established bus stop and shelter nearest to Asda.

"I left them in no doubt that the scheme isn’t popular locally. The officers accepted the points I made."