Portswood Project Dropped After Trial Raises Safety Concerns
Southampton City Council has officially confirmed that the controversial Portswood Project will not be moving forward in its current form, following a trial earlier this year that sparked mixed reactions among residents and businesses.
The scheme, which aimed to reduce traffic and promote sustainable travel by introducing a bus gate on Portswood Broadway, initially showed signs of success. Independent monitoring carried out in May reported a decrease in vehicle traffic and an increase in pedestrian activity in the area.
However, the same assessment revealed a troubling rise in traffic volumes on surrounding residential streets, raising concerns about road safety, congestion, and the knock-on impact on local communities. In response to this feedback, the council made the decision to suspend the project and has now confirmed it will not proceed further.
“I’d like to thank local people, businesses and community groups as well as the project steering group, for their time and consideration in taking part in the various consultations and co-design workshops and their commitment to improving Portswood,” said Councillor Christie Lambert, Cabinet Member for Transport. “We are dedicated to using the remaining Transforming Cities funding to deliver travel improvements in the Eastleigh to Southampton corridor and are committed to engaging with local people and community groups on what opportunities could do the most good.”
Funding Redirected to New Projects
The funding allocated to the Portswood Project through the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) will now be repurposed for alternative schemes along the Eastleigh to Southampton corridor. These projects will still aim to improve sustainable transport options, in line with the fund’s original goals.
The council confirmed it will launch new rounds of community engagement to seek input from residents and businesses on how the funding should be used.
Focus on Greener Transport Continues
Despite the cancellation of the Portswood scheme, the council reaffirmed its commitment to making Southampton a greener, healthier, and more connected city. Planned transport improvements include:
• Expansion of the Southampton Weekend Park & Ride.
• Increased frequency of bus services.
• Introduction of new night bus routes.
• Ongoing development of bus priority measures across the city.
The Portswood Project had been a key component of the city’s broader Local Transport Plan, aimed at reducing car dependency and supporting more sustainable travel choices. With this announcement, the council is signalling a shift towards more community-informed, corridor-wide transport planning.
Next Steps
Residents and businesses will soon be invited to take part in consultations on potential transport improvements funded by the TCF. The council stated that meaningful public engagement will play a central role in shaping future investment along the Eastleigh-Southampton route.