Kent Road parking changes proposed amid Southsea bus route row

A controversial bus route through Southsea could prompt changes to Kent Road, where residents have raised concerns about noise, vibrations and kerb-mounting.

Portsmouth City Council could introduce an 18-month trial of formal passing places on Kent Road in Southsea to improve road safety and reduce conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians.

The proposed Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) would remove parking from selected sections of the road, replacing it with no-waiting restrictions. New road markings, signs and other safety measures would also be introduced.

Kent Road links Southsea High Street, Palmerston Road, Castle Road, Southsea Terrace, Clarence Pier and the seafront. On-street parking creates narrow sections where drivers struggle to pass.

This is particularly true during school runs at the nearby Portsmouth High School.

Council figures show between 2,500 and 2,600 vehicles use the road each day, with traffic flows reaching around 1,000 to 1,400 vehicles per hour during school-related peak periods. Average speeds were recorded at 20mph to 21mph.

Reported safety concerns include drivers mounting the pavement, squeezing past oncoming vehicles and manoeuvring with limited visibility, creating potential risks for pedestrians.

The council has held discussions with residents, ward councillors, its cabinet member for transport, Portsmouth High School and Stagecoach.

A separate proposal would move parking spaces within the KC Residents’ Parking Zone from Kent Road to Osborne Road. The plan would provide around 53 metres of parking on Osborne Road to make up for the 46 metres affected by the proposed restrictions on Kent Road.

The road has been the subject of controversy among local residents, who have described vehicle movements, particularly those involving the number 18 bus, as “unbearable”.

Residents have raised concerns about the number 18 bus route since June last year, citing noise, vibrations and the smell of diesel. The service passes along Kent Road around 90 times a day, with buses starting as early as 4.30am.

Frustrated residents launched a petition calling for the route to be changed, saying the disruption was making their lives “unbearable”.

One resident said some neighbours were at their “wits’ end”, with two households having either decided to move or considering leaving because of the disturbance.

The council’s cabinet member for transport is due to decide whether to approve the trial on October 22.