Portswood Broadway scheme could be scrapped
Southampton City Council’s transport boss has hinted the authority will scrap the Portswood Broadway scheme if the objection is ‘overwhelming’
The Portswood Broadway scheme would see part of the road pedestrianised, using a Government grant, in order to make the area ‘greener’ and ‘more vibrant’ and to help the environment.
Over the past two years, it has been met with fierce opposition, including a record-breaking petition to stop the plans – and also a certain level of support.
The scheme will divert 12,000 car journeys a day and those in opposition say it will ‘create rat runs’ ‘increase antisocial behaviour’ and even worsen the environment.
A third consultation on the scheme has just finished – after the previous one around a year ago was deemed to be ‘inadequate’ and ‘weighted’.
The final decision on if the plan will commence or be scrapped is due to be made by the city council’s cabinet on the 16 January (2024), with the papers on the decision being released eight days earlier on the 8 January (2024).
This will come only a few months before the council would have to return the grant if unused (or un-reallocated).
The council’s overview scrutiny and management committee met on Thursday (December 14) to discuss the plans.
Councillor Dan Fitzhenry, leader of the Tory opposition was in attendance at the meeting.
The councillor has consistently spoken of his objection to the plan and said he would ‘scrap it immediately’ if the Tories returned to power in the city.
He asked Councillor Keogh, the cabinet member for transport who is in charge of the scheme: “If you are presented with results that show from this consultation that people are overwhelmingly not in favour of this proposal, what are you going to do based on your principles that you are operating to?
Cllr Keogh said: “My principle is it is important that we engage with residents on any decisions and they have a right to be consulted – and if (it’s) the overwhelming view of a consultation, I would never ignore the overwhelming view of a consultation – because that is undemocratic.”
However, the transport boss did follow this up by stating that it is a consultation and ‘not a referendum’.
He went on to say: “Once the results have been thoroughly analysed we will be able to come to a decision that is informed and balanced and one we can justify as a council to residents of this city.”