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.
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
Latest update
July 2026
Highfield Active Travel Zone - Earlier this year, residents shared their views on traffic and road safety in the area. We listened carefully and your feedback is helping to shape the next stage of these improvements.
Many local people told us they would like to see measures to address driver behaviour issues on local roads. In response, the council is developing plans to install speed cushions and raised table on Brookvale Road, Russell Place and Abbotts Way to help make these roads safer for people who live, walk and travel in the area.
Department for Transport guidance is that speed cushions are an effective traffic-calming measure, lowering speeds and accident risk. They can achieve lower speeds in line with the speed limit, while having a smaller impact on public transport and emergency services than other measures. Results vary by location depending in part on their design, positioning, and dimensions. Full width humps are generally more effective at achieving lower speeds such as a raised table at junctions which is part of the design consideration we currently working on.
Since this form of traffic calming was installed on Hill Lane a post scheme review shows that compliance with the speed limit is at 82%.
Local people will have a further opportunity to have their say in early autumn, when detailed proposals showing the number and locations of the speed cushions will be published as part of a Traffic Regulation Order consultation.
Subject to the outcome of this process, the speed cushions and raised table will be installed and the temporary buildouts that have been trialled in the area will be removed at the same time.
To find out more about this work, including a summary of the feedback received from residents, please visit the Highfield Active Travel Zone page linked in the sidebar.
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) |
Formal consultation phase (Oct 2026) |
Design (Jul to Nov 2026) Delivery (Jan to Mar 2027) |
|
20mph Extension |
Prepare extension proposal (Feb 2026) |
Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) consultation (Apr 2026) |
Final design and rollout (late 2026) |
|
Highfield Active Travel Zone |
Initial resident engagement on options (Feb to Mar 2026) |
Formal consultation phase (Oct 2026) |
Design (Jul to Nov 2026) Delivery (Jan to Mar 2027) |
|
The Broadway |
Preparing consultation (Apr to Jul 2026) |
Consultation with businesses (Jul to Aug 2026), consultation with public (TBC) |
To be confirmed depending on consultation feedback |
|
Cycle Quietways |
N/A |
N/A |
Lawn Road (Jun 2026) Priory Road south (Autumn 2026) |