CONNECTING SOUTHAMPTON

Summary

• Where: Winchester Road, between Thornhill Road and Bassett Avenue 
• When: The engagement survey runs until 19 April which will be followed by analysis and review, then detailed design of the proposals. Provisionally, construction could be in late 2026/early 2027
• What: A number of related schemes to improve access to the Outdoor Sports Centre including new and upgraded pedestrian crossings, cycle lane widening, carriageway resurfacing, bus stop improvements and accessibility improvements 
• Why: To improve conditions for all road users and create safer journeys to nearby locations including the Outdoor Sports Centre, schools and local shops. A survey in 2021 indicated that residents want better access for active travel and improved public transport options. 
• How: Using a combination of funding from the Outdoor Sports Centre project and the Local Transport Plan 

Project Details 

Southampton City Council is proposing a series of improvements to the eastern section of Winchester Road between Thornhill Road and Bassett Avenue. These proposals aim to improve conditions for all road users, with a focus on those using active travel modes such as walking or cycling, to create safer and more attractive options for journeys to key destinations such as the Outdoor Sports Centre, the Common, local schools and local services. We will also be resurfacing the road where needed to create an improved surface for both cyclists and motor vehicles. This project will be funded by contributions from the Outdoor Sports Centre development, as well as the Council’s local transport grant from central government. 

March 2026

We are keen to hear your views on the initial proposals. Please see the indicative maps and accompanying text below along with a link to our survey, which will be open for responses until midnight on Sunday the 19 of April. The survey will open in a new window to enable you to easily refer back to the details on this page. 

(Open the full plan in a new tab)

The scheme proposals consist of: 

1. New signalised pedestrian and cycle crossing over Winchester Road, at the junction of Thornhill Road. 
2. New signalised pedestrian and cycle crossing over Winchester Road, close to the junction of Butterfield Road. 
3. Upgrade to the existing pedestrian and cycle crossing over Winchester Road, at the junction of Vermont Close. 
4. Changes to the junction at Butterfield Road to make it easier for pedestrians to cross with a new continuous footway.  
5. Bus stop improvements to include real-time information screens and accessible kerbing to support the U6 bus route. 
6. Resurfacing of Winchester Road between Butterfield Road and the Bassett Avenue roundabout. 
7. Widening of the existing cycle lanes on Winchester Road between Thornhill Road/Pointout Road and Bassett Avenue. Where possible, they will be two metres wide with solid white lines to clearly define the road space, improving safety for all users. 
8. Accessibility improvements to crossings within the surrounding side streets, using tactile paving and dropped kerbs. 

We will also be consulting on the introduction of 20mph speed limits on residential side roads in the local area. This consultation will be a separate process starting in Spring 2026. 

Have your say here  

Your feedback will be carefully considered alongside other aspects of the proposals such as the engineering and regulatory constraints of the proposed improvements throughout the detailed design process. Provisionally, construction could start in late 2026 or early 2027, depending on the issues raised during the detailed design process.