Summary
Image is an example of active travel measures elsewhere in Southampton.
In 2025, the council trialled a bus-only section on Portswood Broadway alongside Active Travel Zone (ATZ) measures in nearby residential areas, as part of the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) programme. This trial aimed to improve walking, cycling, scooting, and bus travel while making local spaces safer and more enjoyable. The trial, which included build-outs, modal filters, and 20mph speed limits, were was suspended in May 2025 after displaced traffic raised concerns on surrounding roads, particularly Brookvale Road. Based on public feedback and the current public transport network requirements, there are no plans to re-introduce the bus gate on Portswood Broadway. For further details on previous work, click the 2025 Portswood trial background.
Latest update
Since the conclusion of the trial, traffic volumes have returned closer to previous levels, but longstanding issues with this level of through traffic have been raised by local residents in the Highfield and surrounding area. Now, with remaining funding from the council is seeking fresh input on how the area can be made safer.
Three priority areas have emerged from recent feedback and will each be consulted on separately, with further proposals likely to follow. These are:
- Highfield Active Travel Zone (ATZ) measures with initial focus on Brookvale Road
- Safer Routes to School – Highfield Infant School
- Extension of 20mph zone on residential road
Project timeline overview
Each project will progress according to its own schedule and is independent of the others. The timelines provided currently extend only to the consultation phase, as the next steps depend on the level of public support received. If there is sufficient support for any measure following consultation, it will then move forward to detailed design and eventual implementation. Updates to dates and subsequent stages will be published as the project advances.
|
Project |
Initial Engagement |
Consultation Period |
Next Steps (If Supported) |
|
Safer Routes to School |
Collaboration with Highfield CoE Infant School(Jan 2026) |
Wider community consultation (Dates TBA) |
Detailed design and implementation (Dates updated as project develops) |
|
20mph Extension |
Prepare extension proposal(Feb 2026) |
Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) consultation (Dates TBC) |
Final design and rollout (If supported) |
|
Highfield Active Travel Zone |
Initial resident engagement on options(02/02/2026 – 22/02/2026) |
Formal consultation phase (Dates TBC) |
Advance to design/implementation (If supported) |