East Park Terrace works completion

Southampton City Council recently completed a major scheme, funded by the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund, which transformed East Park Terrace into a bus/cycle/taxi area, improving bus journey reliability in and out of the City Centre

Southampton City Council has recently completed a major scheme, which has transformed East Park Terrace into a bus/cycle/taxi only stretch of road, which will improve bus  journey times in and out of the city centre. The road is directly on the U6 bus route, which runs from Central Station to University Hospital Southampton via Portswood and the University of Southampton.

The council will use CCTV to observe driver behaviour once the scheme is live and if there are a high level of contraventions, they will have the option to enforce the bus/cycle/taxi only restriction. If cameras are used for this purpose, it will be in line with government guidance and council policy, which amongst other requirements will mean the issuing of warning notices for a period of time prior to enforcement starting.

Upgraded crossings, along with additional cycle lanes will also help create better routes into the city centre for people walking and cycling. The new cycle lanes have been installed from Charlotte Place roundabout and the Palmerston Road and New Road junction which continue onto East Park Terrace.  The crossing points have been upgraded at the junctions of Palmerston Road, New Road and Charlotte Place.

East Park Terrace also forms part of the Southampton Cycle Network (SCN) Route Six from Portswood to the City Centre, the scheme will continue the investment that has already been made on this cycle route corridor with past infrastructure improvements at Bevois Valley and St Mary’s Road on the northern side of Charlotte Place.

The road has seen a range of public realm and greening improvements, including features such as new planted areas outside Solent University and a new ‘Living roof’ shelter at the bus stop, opposite Solent University. This supports native biodiversity, bringing additional greenery back into the area. A new art project will be commissioned for the raised carriageway outside the University buildings. This will be a joint venture between Southampton City Council and Solent University. All of these aesthetic improvements will create a healthier and more attractive environment for everyone.

The scheme has improved connectivity between Solent University, the parks, the city centre and Southampton’s Cultural Quarter. The Cultural Quarter is a vibrant visitor attraction of museums, galleries, theatres and music venues, spanning from The Mayflower Theatre up to and around Guildhall Square, right in the heart of Southampton. The East Park Terrace scheme is part of the council’s ambitious plans to create a more vibrant and welcoming environment for everyone living, working, studying, and spending time in the city.

The package of government funded schemes will create a family-focussed city centre that improves community, economic and cultural life through enhancing public spaces within the city.  Southampton City Council has been working with the key stakeholder Southampton Solent University, as the road is situated directly outside the University’s main buildings.

Throughout the project the council has collaborated extensively with the University to ensure the works do not cause any disruption for them and have facilitated traffic management for their Open Days and other important University events.