By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
New measures are being put on the table for resident consultation [open until Feb 22] aimed at tackling rat running in Highfield.
Article continues after this message...
The city council is looking to use money leftover from last year’s scrapped Portswood Broadway bus gate scheme to improve road safety.
Options include a modal filter to close off Brookvale Road as a through route for motor vehicles, buildouts where the kerb is extended out to narrow the width of the road, long speed humps across the road, and shorter speed bumps in the centre of each side of the road.
A buildout was installed in Brookvale Road as part of the Portswood active travel zone trial in 2025 before being removed due to resident feedback. Photo: SCC
The local authority said any proposed scheme will require wider community support before proceeding.
Letters have been sent out to residents inviting them to share their views through a survey.
Council leader Cllr Alex Winning said: “This is an important opportunity for local people to influence how Brookvale Road and neighbouring streets can become calmer and safer.”
Other related work includes a safer routes to school programme for Highfield Church of England school, expanding the 20mph speed limit across Portswood and increased funding for road repairs, although there are no plans to re-introduce the Portswood bus gate.
A separate project focused on developing community-led improvements to enhance Portswood district centre will be starting later in the year.
The council survey on Brookvale Road is here.
This article is from the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Some alterations/additions may have been made by our site - a BBC Local News Partnerships member. BBC-funded LDRS journalists cover local authorities and public service organisations, with content shared by all partners.