A TRIAL to pedestrianise an area of Southampton is set to starts today.

Roads around Bedford Place will be closed to traffic from this morning as part of a scheme aimed at supporting social distancing and boosting the local economy.

Temporary road closures will be implemented along Bedford Place from Henstead Road to Carlton Place; along Carlton Place from Bedford Place to Southampton Street; along Lower Banister Street from Carlton Place to opposite the Popworld establishment.

Two-way traffic will be permitted along the lower half of Lower Banister Street while these closures are in place.

A timed road closure will also temporarily be in place along Winchester Street from Carlton Place to Salisbury Street on Fridays from 11pm to midnight and on Saturdays from midnight to 3am and from 11pm to midnight.

Two-way traffic will be permitted along Waterloo Terrace while these closures are in place.

A mixture of planters and concrete bollards will be used to implement the new measures.

The scheme was unveiled by Southampton City Council last week as part of the authority’s Green Transport Recovery Plan.

According to the council, on street car parking along Carlton Place (near Southampton Street) and on Lower Banister Street (outside Popworld) will be suspended.

However, other car parking in the area will be available such as the on street parking on Upper Bannister Street, the off street car parks at Amoy Street, Bedford Place Multi Storey off Lower Banister Street, and Amoy Street car park.

Meanwhile, residents living in the Polygon area including Canton Street and Henstead Road will still be able to access their properties and diversions will be via Carlton Crescent.

The council stressed that the scheme is temporary and the public will be consulted while the measures are trialled.

The trial could last up to 18 months but at any time during the trial the council is able to modify or remove the scheme, the authority said.

As reported last week, the move has been welcomed by local councillors and the business community.

To have your say on the Bedford Place scheme write to the Highways Legal Team at Southampton City Council, Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7LY or email Traffic.Orders.Legal@southampton.gov.uk.