Traders in Portswood are ecstatic to see the suspension of the bus gate, as Southampton City Council U-turns on the controversial trial.
The decision to suspend the controversial restrictions, which stopped any traffic other than buses, bicycles and taxis from using the road at peak times, follows a three-month review of the scheme and feedback from local residents and businesses.
The road opened to traffic yesterday, with signs removed that very morning.
The scheme, which proved hugely unpopular with residents and businesses alike, was due to run as part of a trial for at least six months after beginning in January.
READ MORE: Southampton Council U-turn on Portswood Road bus gate
Kovan Hamid, of Kovan and Ramo's Gentlemen's Barber, was ecstatic at the news. He said: "It is absolutely brilliant. I am just happy it is all over now.
"Hopefully, it stays that way. We had so many letters and petitions out. It was crazy. It is a good result, we won."
Kate Ledward, who owns Kate's Café, says the suspension came at a good time as she was "a month" from having to shut down.
She said: "I am delighted. It is going to take a while for people to get back into their usual flow."
Yildirim Ordu is a manager at the Poppins Restaurant and Café, he said: "The trial was terrible. Hopefully, things are going to be better than before."
There were two petitions made against the scheme, one prior to the trial starting received more than 5,000 signatures, and one that took place shortly after it started garnered 3,000. A petition in favour of the bus gate received 156 signatures.
READ MORE: Portswood Road bus gate: Councillor not resigning after U-turn
Tyler Jones, the owner of Flagship Coffee on Portswood Road, said: "It will still take time for everyone to adjust to it. Already, there is a noticeable number of cars going through the area. Fottfall seems to be its usual amount."
The manager of the International Foods Halal Meat Centre on Porstwood Road said: "It has affected us a lot, since it came in, our business went down 15 per cent. It is a victory for us."
Any future reinstatement of the bus gate will only happen once a revised, community-backed plan is in place, Labour said.
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