CONNECTING SOUTHAMPTON

This project has been planned to take place from October 2024 following public consultation in both late 2023 and early 2024, and has been carefully planned around other works in the city to minimise the impact to traffic.

This project aims to improve transport links for those using buses, walking, cycling, or scooting. The consultations that took place in late 2023 expressed the need for an update to the traffic signals, which will also be a key focus of the improvements, prolonging the lifespan and functionality of the junction and improving journeys for all.

Our works will focus on the junction as well as part of Bevois Hill, and there will be lane restrictions in place on the junction for the duration of the project, and temporary traffic signals to guide traffic around the works area; however, the junction will remain open throughout.

We will also close the Thomas Lewis Way spur road (as shown on the map below) with traffic able to access Lodge Road and Portswood Road by using Bevois Hill. Please be aware that during peak times the temporary traffic lights will be manned to help ease congestion.

The junction of Bevois Hill and Forster Road will be closed to provide a storage area for our materials, which will also help keep traffic flowing on Bevois Hill during the installation. During the works, Bevois Hill between Portswood Road and Thomas Lewis Way will be one-way, northbound only, to accommodate our works area.

Map of the works area (click to enlarge in a new window)

During construction, the Lodge Road junction will remain accessible for pedestrians using either existing, temporary, or alternative footways. We will always do our best to accommodate cyclists, however during the first part of the work we will have to close the cycle lane between Lawn Road and the junction to allow our works area access to the cycle lane. We will try and re-open this as soon as possible.

During this time, cyclists are advised to use Spring Crescent to access Lodge Road and Portswood Road or seek other alternative routes. We will have, when necessary, dedicated cyclist diversion route signage to help cyclists find other ways around the works. 

Bus routes through Bevois Hill will be impacted by these works. Bus operators will manage and plan their own diversions or temporary bus stops, so we recommend reaching out to the bus providers directly.

Access for nearby businesses, such as those seen on Bevois Hill and Lodge Road, will be maintained throughout. On-street parking in the area will be restricted due to the works areas, so alternative parking arrangements may be needed by customers. 

Access to Tesco and Esso will be maintained throughout. 

These improvements will begin from Monday 7^th October 2024 and will take approximately 10 weeks.

The improvements will include:

• Full intelligent traffic signal upgrade at the Lodge Road/Portswood Road and Bevois Hill/Bevois Valley Road junctions including priority for buses.
• Push-button crossing points with countdown timers for pedestrians on all arms of the Lodge Road junction.
• Dedicated cycle traffic signals and advanced stop lines at the junctions, as well as segregated cycle lanes on Bevois Hill.
• Upgraded pedestrian footways on the Lodge Road junction and Bevois Hill including resurfacing and paving slab repairs, as well as reconstruction and widening of the footway on the northwest corner.
• Upgrades to the Forster Road bus stop on Bevois Hill.
• In the New Year, we will also complete carriageway resurfacing at the Lodge Road and Portswood Road junction, as well as Bevois Hill, alongside new drainage facilities for the Lodge Road junction and Bevois Hill. We will write to residents and businesses closer to the time with these details.
• Installation of cycle stands next to Tesco Express and Esso on Lodge Road.

For up to the minute travel information in the city and updates on this scheme, follow us on X (Twitter) @SCChighways.

For any other enquiries, please email roadworks@southampton.gov.uk.