A part-time bus/taxi/cycle-only section will be trialled on Portswood Road, from St Denys Road spur road to Westridge Road, from early 2025.

As part of a package of mitigation for these works that are likely to see some displacement of traffic, Active Travel Zones (ATZs) in the Highfield area to the north-west and in Portswood south of the Broadway are proposed.

ATZs are neighbourhoods that encourage active travel through a range of measures which calm or discourage traffic, reduce rat running and instead prioritise people walking, wheeling and cycling while at the same time maintaining motor vehicle access for those who live there. Interventions for ATZs are scalable and could include measures such as speed cushions, improved crossing points or traffic filters.

Further background to the project is available at transport.southampton.gov.uk/portswood

Co-design workshops

Any ATZ will be developed through co-design with the local community. Residents are invited to attend workshops to co-design measures to limit the impact of a trial Portswood Rd bus/taxi/cycle-only section on adjacent streets in Highfield and south of the Broadway.

The main area of focus for these workshops will be Brookvale Road, Abbotts Way, Russell Place, Westridge Road and Belmont Road (highlighted yellow in map below, with the bus/taxi/cycle-only section in blue).

© 2024 Ordnance Survey 100019679

Workshop dates/venues

• Monday 8 July, 6-7.30pm at Highfield Church hall SO17 1RL
• Wednesday 10 July, 6.30-8pm at Portswood Church main hall SO17 2FY
• Friday 12 July, 12-1.30pm at Portswood Church back hall SO17 2FY
• Tuesday 16 July, 6-7.30pm at Highfield Church hall SO17 1RL
• Thursday 18 July, 6-7.30pm at Highfield Church hall SO17 1RL

You must book a free ticket on this page (one per person) to attend any workshop. In order to maximise the available spaces for all, each person should only book onto one event.

Workshop format

During each workshop, residents will work together in small groups with a facilitator to discuss potential measures to calm and/or discourage traffic travelling through the local area, and improve conditions for walking and wheeling. Discussions will focus primarily on Brookvale Road, Abbotts Way, Russell Place, Westridge Road and Belmont Road as these were the main streets of concern for residents at previous consultation regarding potential displaced traffic.

Next steps

Ideas and suggestions received during the workshops will be reviewed for feasibility within design guidelines, budget and trial timeline and presented to the Portswood Steering Group. Residents will have an opportunity to comment on any proposed ATZ designs; details will be shared on the project website transport.southampton.gov.uk/portswood.