Southsea street could limit vehicle access as Portsmouth City Council deems it an 'Active Pompey Neighbourhood'

Consultation will begin next week on the Talbot Road scheme, which the city council calls an 'Active Pompey Neighbourhood', limiting access to cars at its junction with Fawcett Road.

Cabinet member for transport Lynne Stagg said the move would also reduce pollution in the area and was being considered in response to public concerns.

'We've had lots of complaints over the years,' she said. 'There have been lots of accidents in the area particularly with pedestrians and cyclists. We need to address that.'

Cllr Stagg approved the Active Pompey Neighbourhoods project earlier this year, moving away from the use of the term low traffic neighbourhoods due to opposition to schemes elsewhere in the country.

The difference, she said, is that increased consultation would take place before anything is introduced.

'We're not progressing any low traffic neighbourhoods in the city, we're taking an entirely different approach to it,' she said. 'That's based on looking at what's going on in other parts of the country where there's been quite a bit of negative reaction.

'We didn't want that to happen, so we're looking at having engagement, with local residents, local businesses and people who are using the area.'

An 'informal survey' will be launched on Monday for people and organisations in the area and will run until October 27. This will be followed by a public meeting at Priory School at the end of the month.

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After this detailed plans for any project will be drawn up by council officers under an experimental traffic order which and will be introduced under an 18-month trial.

Cllr Stagg said any future schemes would only be pursued following requests from the public. 'It's not something you want to impose,' she said.

Central Southsea ward councillor Charlotte Gerada called on the council to engage more with people representing the area, saying she was only told about the proposal earlier this week.

'We want this to be a success,' she said. 'We have been working with those residents directly who have experienced severe road safety issues for about 18 months,' she said. 'We really hope that we are completely included in this process.'