Bus Gate Update

My inbox has been flooded with residents contacting me regarding concerns about the Portswood Bus Gate. I am now doing regular updates to people who have contacted me, as the council informs me of progress. If you would like to receive these updates,please email me, councillor.k.barbour@southampton.gov.uk, and I will add you to the distribution list.

Many people assume I am in favour of the Bus Gate as I am a Green Councillor, and of course the Green Party favours active travel and a reduction in car use. So the idea of the Bus Gate is excellent. Unfortunately, we have an administration who did not listen to the concerns that local people put forward before the trial started.

As a result, local streets have become rat runs and there has been an increase in dangerous driving along Belmont Road and Brookvale Roads. I called on Cllr Keogh,cabinet lead for transport, to halt the trial to get these issues sorted, but he hasrefused. So all the negatives of this project are landing on our streets and none of the potential benefits have been realised. Some local traders have told me that their overall business is down by between 15% and 70%. I have to wonder, how this figure would be if the scheme had tackled residents’ issues and concerns.