Bus boss Andrew Wickham believes the new trial will improve travel for passengers and reduce traffic issues on Portswood Road
Southampton: Andrew Wickham, the managing director of Bluestar, is optimistic about the upcoming trial starting Monday. He thinks it’ll really help passengers.
So, here’s the deal: there will be peak time restrictions on cars from 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm for six months. This affects the stretch between St Denys Road spur and Westridge Road.
During these times, only buses, taxis, and bikes can use the road. But don’t worry, you can still access the car parks at Waitrose and Sainsbury’s.
Wickham, who also runs Unilink, is all for this scheme. He believes it’ll speed up journeys on Bluestar routes and help tackle the annoying issue of cars parking at bus stops.
His team is ready to monitor how these changes affect their services and will keep in touch with the council to share feedback on traffic and journey times.
However, not everyone is on board. Some local businesses are worried that even partial closures could hurt trade on Portswood Road.
Councillor Eamonn Keogh, who oversees environment and transport, thanked everyone involved in the public consultations. He acknowledged the diverse opinions shared and how they shaped the decision to trial this scheme.
Keogh also mentioned that they’re aware this trial is a big change for the community. They’ll be keeping a close eye on how it works out.
The project aims to bring several benefits, like shorter bus journey times, safer roads for pedestrians and cyclists, and better air quality for everyone in the area.
The council plans to share monthly updates on their website about traffic changes during the trial. Plus, there’s a new loading bay on St Denys Road spur, and larger vehicles will still have access.
