PLANS to close a busy Southampton road in the evening by potentially using traffic cameras “are on the table”, it has been revealed.

Civic chiefs have confirmed they will consider evening only road closures on Bedford Place in the future as they plan a £150,000 makeover for the area.

It comes as earlier this week they announced that the temporary road closure introduced last August to allow outdoor seating will come to an end on July 19.

The decision was taken as some local businesses asked the council to reopen the road saying the move hit trade.

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But talking about the long-term plan for the area Cllr Jeremy Moulton, deputy council leader and cabinet member for growth, said plans to close the road in the evening are still on the table.

He said the recent survey with local businesses indicated that the majority of traders would be in favour of an evening closure.

Cllr Moulton said: “That could be a nice balance between supporting the non-hospitality trade and the hospitality businesses. We will look into that but it is not something that we could do at the moment. The only way we can do [it] practically would be through camera enforcement.”

Cllr Moulton explained the council currently does not have the power to use camera enforcement.

But he added: “It is not possible now but it might well be possible next year and at that point we will give [it] serious consideration.

"We will consider evening closures next year. We will have a dialogue with residents, businesses and users of Bedford Place and that would be something that we discuss with them.”

The move could be part of the £150,000 investment the authority is planning to make in the area to improve public realm and introduce traffic calming measures.

Meanwhile, he said the expectation is for the road closure in Carlton Place and Lower Banister Street to become permanent.

Cllr Sarah Bogle, shadow transport councillor, said evening only closures could create “some confusion”.

Cllr Satvir Kaur, the leader of the opposition, added: “We need a stop to these backward thinking knee jerking changes that are based on little evidence and selective consultation.”

Hitting back, council leader Dan Fitzhenry, said: “We are very much open to exploring and delivering a permanent solution for which we will be able to work on over the next year.

"We must remember the closure of Bedford Place was a temporary measure to support hospitality and social distancing. It was not a low traffic neighbourhood scheme.”