Southampton City Council launched two separate Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) consultations on Friday (13 November), covering proposals for the Highfield Active Travel Zone and Highfield CofE Primary School Safer Routes to School project.

The proposed changes would support our goals for a safer, healthier and greener Southampton. However, what people tell us through these consultations will help determine which measures, if any, are taken forward. Comments are required by Friday 4 December.

Highfield Active Travel Zone

The first consultation focuses on Brookvale Road, Russell Place and Abbotts Way, following previous engagement with the local community about traffic and road safety in this area.

Our most recent survey attracted 537 responses, with 59% of respondents supporting the introduction of a traffic calming measure on Brookvale Road, and with speed cushions and raised tables at junctions being the most popular option.

51% of respondents on Abbots Way and 47% on Russell Place also supported the introduction of traffic calming measures and again speed cushions and raised tables at junctions were the most supported option.

While we appreciate that Russell Place showed a slightly less than 50% level of support for measures, we have included proposals in these next steps due to the potential for displacement of traffic from those roads with a majority in support of measures.

Following this feedback and as the next step in the process for implementing measures, we are putting forward more detailed proposals for consideration that include:

• speed cushions and road humps on Brookvale Road
• road humps on Abbotts Way and Russell Place
• a raised table at the junction of Brookvale Road and Abbotts Way
• improvements to walking routes, including additional dropped kerbs and crossing points
• changes to on-street parking on Brookvale Road
• additional 20mph signage on Brookvale Road when entering from Highfield Lane, Winn Road and Westwood Road
• Removal of the priority give-way system on Brookvale Road and associated traffic calming measures but it is important to note that this would retain the pinch points which pre-date the measures associated with the Portswood Broadway bus gate

Safer Routes to Highfield CofE Primary School

The second consultation is seeking views on proposals centred around Highfield CofE Primary School as part of the council’s wider Safer Routes to School programme. Safer Routes to School aims to improve road safety for children and families and make active and sustainable journeys around the school easier for everyone.

The proposed measures include upgrading the existing zebra crossing on Highfield Lane with a raised table, introducing speed cushions on Highfield Lane, road humps on Church Lane and new no-stopping restrictions near the school. The plans would also widen part of the footway on Highfield Lane and make changes to parking outside Highfield Church Centre.

These proposals are coming forward following discussions with Highfield CofE Primary School about barriers to active travel that they see and concerns around vehicle speeds, road crossings and parking close to the school entrance that they have identified to the council.

Councillor Jacqui Rayment, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “We want everyone to feel safe and confident when travelling around their neighbourhood, whatever their destination and however they choose to travel.

“In getting to this stage, these proposals have already been significantly shaped by the feedback we have received from local residents, the school and the wider community to date. This stage is the next layer of detail for consideration, and no final decisions have been made. These consultations are an important opportunity for local people to look at the detailed plans, tell us what they think and raise any concerns they may have.

“I would encourage everyone who lives, works, travels or goes to school in the area to take part. We will carefully consider all of the feedback we receive before deciding which measures, if any, should go ahead.”

People can view the plans and supporting documents and respond to each TRO consultation separately through the council’s Connecting Southampton website.