Campaign to keep busy Southampton road closed to traffic
Bedford Place was shut last summer
A petition has been launched in a bid to keep a busy Southampton road closed to traffic.
The Liberal Democrats in the city have launched a petition asking for Bedford Place to remain closed.
It comes as the road was closed last August to provide seating for bars and restaurants.
But the move proved controversial with some backing the idea and others calling for the road to be reopened.
It comes as some local traders said they lost the passing trade due to the road closure.
On Saturday, Conservative Cllr Dan Fitzhenry, said his plan is to reopen the road but leave the closure on Carlton Place.
He said the move would be based on data collated over the past months but he pledegd to consult with businesses first.
It comes as the Conservatives won control of Southampton City Council in this year’s elections.
The petition launched by the Liberal Democrats has so far received more than 800 signatures
The party said: “The coronavirus pandemic has been a difficult time, but one of the best things to come out of is a greater appreciation of our shared spaces. Pedestrianisation, like in Bedford Place, has produced vibrant local spaces for our community and allows local businesses in these areas to grow and thrive.”
Lib Dem campaigner Josh Smith says: “Southampton Liberal Democrats believe that the council should be protecting and improving these community spaces, not removing them.”
Cllr Fitzhenry said the closure was put in place to support businesses recover from the pandemic and he said that local businesses will now be consulted.
He added: “This is not a wide-ranging transport plan. This was a temporary measure for businesses to support them recovering from Covid. But we will be mindful of course of every opinion. Our commitment was to reopen Bedford Place if the traders in Bedford Place wanted that to happen , which has been the case until now. Now we will consult with traders, ask them what they want to do and look at a range of options to find a compromise if needed.”
It comes as plans to reopen the road sparked mixed reactions with some traders welcoming the news, others suggesting a closure in the evening or until the end of summer.
Cllr Fitzhenry added: “We take control of the council from the 19th so nothing can happen legally before then and I have asked officers to come up with a plan so that we can find a solution to this as quickly as possible.”
John Spottiswoodes, from the Green Party in Southampton, said: “Bedford Place should be pedestrianised as was planned. Research shows that pedestrianisation normally increases footfall and business and also revives an area. Surely this is something that all political parties are in favour of.”