The Conservatives are planning to reopen a busy Southampton road after its closure proved controversial.
Bedford Place was closed to traffic at the end of August last year to allow more outdoor seating and ensure social distancing.
But the reopening of the busy road could be one of the first moves of the Conservatives as they swept to power after nine years.
It comes as Labour lost control of Southampton City Council on Saturday, as the Tories gained seven seats in this year’s local elections.
Cllr Dan Fitzhenry, leader of the Conservatives, said his plan is to reopen Bedford Place while the closure of Carlton Place would remain in place.
But he said businesses will be consulted first to make sure any change “works for them”.
When was Bedford Place closed to traffic?
The road was closed at the end of August 2020 and the closure was expected to remain in place until the end of summer this year.
Why was this road closure controversial?
Some traders, especially in the hospitality sector, welcomed the road closure and described the move as “positive”.
Over the past months, the closure has given some local businesses the opportunity to use the road space for more outdoors seating.
But other traders, said the move was “a total shambles” and “ruined businesses”.
In November 2020 they said shop owners lost “ the passing trade” and called on the council to reopen the road.
At the time, former cabinet member for transport Cllr Steve Leggett, said “best practice from other towns and cities has shown that pedestrianisation attracts more custom and, for this reason, we firmly believe that schemes like this have a valuable place in helping to boost our local economy”.
What happened next?
In March this year the council said the road closure would remain in place until the end of summer 2021.
A final decision on the temporary scheme was expected to be taken then.
Again, some businesses welcomed the news while others were said to be disappointed.
Why are there plans to reopen the road?
In November last year, Cllr Dan Fitzhenry – who at the time was the leader of the opposition – said the closure of Bedford Place was “not helping” some businesses and the council “needed to listen” to those affected.
Following the results of this year’s local elections, the Conservatives won control of the city council.
Shortly after the declaration of the final results on May 8, Cllr Fitzhenry – who is set to be the new council leader- said his plan is to reopen Bedford Place.
He said: “Our plan will be to reopen Bedford Place. The Carlton Place element that has got approval from the traders will stay but we will consult the traders on both Bedford Place and Carlton Place first.
“We have their information from the last six months, our plan currently based on that information is to reopen Bedford Place but we will consult those traders first to make sure that that works for them.”
Article originally appeared on Southern Daily echo.
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