Why questions are being asked about Southampton's Bedford Place

Civic chiefs will be quizzed over the decision to reopen Bedford Place on July 19.

It comes as the road closure – which was first implemented last summer to support businesses during the pandemic – proved controversial.

As reported, last month Southampton City Council confirmed that the road will reopen on July 19 when Covid restrictions will come to an end.

But the decision is set to be scrutinised by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee at Southampton City Council  on July 15.

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In a report published ahead of the meeting, council bosses said: “Whilst there is evident support from the many residents and visitors for ‘pedestrianisation’ in Bedford Place, who have enjoyed the traffic free environment and ‘café culture’ on-street, there are a significant number of objections from residents living in the immediate vicinity and a lack of majority support from the Bedford Place businesses. The objections raise several business, safety, accessibility and anti-social issues.”

The report concludes that “there is no clear overall view from the formal and informal consultation activities”.

It comes as according to the official document the overall responses to an initial consultation were in favour of the temporary road closure but there were also “pockets of objections” from residents in neighbouring streets.

According to the report, an initial survey led by GO!Southampton before the launch of the scheme showed that the majority of businesses were in support.

But a subsequent survey found that the majority of businesses were against the road closure “albeit the response rate was low and was in a period of pre-Christmas uncertainty regarding restrictions”.

Cllr Lorna Fielker, chair of the overview and scrutiny management committee, said: “We brought it to scrutiny because it has gathered an awful lot of public interest. I am supportive of the scheme but it is for the administration to justify why the reopening is the right thing to do.”

She said the council should have consulted local residents before taking a final decision.

Cllr Jeremy Moulton, cabinet member for growth, stressed that in a recent survey 57% of Bedford Place businesses were against the road closure.

He added: “The scheme was brought in to support businesses temporarily. Why would you ignore the majority of businesses who said they wanted the road reopened to support their businesses and livelihoods?”

As previously reported, some businesses previously called on the council to reopen the road as they said the move hit trade.

Last month the council pledged to consult residents on wider plans for the area.