Bus gate data shows large surges in nearby road

A scrapped bus gate trial saw traffic in a surrounding residential road experience large surges during a peak time period.

The Portswood Road restrictions in Southampton meant only buses, taxis and cyclists were permitted to travel along sections of the road at certain hours.

It was part of a six-month trial by Southampton City Council, which started in January but was recently suspended after what it said was a comprehensive three-month review, including feedback from residents.

A report by consultants WSP found northbound weekday traffic increased by 228% between 7:00 BST and 10:00 and 130% between 16:00 and 19:00 on Abbotts Way between Russell Place and Brookvale Road.

It was the road with the largest increase in traffic during the scheme.

The monitoring report compared figures collected last summer from automatic traffic counters to data obtained in late March and early April when the bus gate was in force.

Residents protested against the scheme in March, with some saying it was causing "chaos" on neighbouring small residential streets.

Two separate petitions were set up calling for the removal of the scheme, one of which attracted more than 5,000 signatures.

The monitoring report also found increases in southbound traffic in Abbots Way of 95% in the peak morning period and 61% in the afternoon peak.

Nearby Brookvale Road was at the centre of many of the concerns related to the bus gate's impact.

The report found traffic in both directions combined in Brookvale Road was up 66% between 7:00 to 10:00 on weekdays and 76% between 16:00 and 19:00.

Vehicle numbers were also up in Westridge Road, Belmont Road South, and Winn Road.

WSP carried out monitoring in four locations along Portswood Road where traffic was down during the trial, with the biggest drop at 67% in the morning heading northbound in the area around Farmfoods.

When the trial was live, traffic in Russell Place was significantly lower, while there was a smaller drop in Westwood Road, Abbotts Way between Highfield Lane and Russell Place, and Bevois Hill.

When the suspension was announced cabinet member for environment and transport Eamonn Keogh said the local authority's approach had always been rooted in evidence and safety.

"The data shows that while the intended benefits are emerging, we must address unintended effects on surrounding roads," Keogh said.

He added: "We are acting decisively to relieve that pressure while continuing to explore long-term improvements."

You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.