Calls to convert seafront road in Southsea into an A-road branded 'ludicrous'

Following a spat over controversial road closures between members of the Conservative party and the Liberal Democrat administration in Portsmouth this summer, Tory councillor Luke Stubbs is proposing changing Eastney Esplanade into an A-road.

During a full council meeting next week he will put forward a notice of motion to suggest making the change as well as downgrading the existing A-road of Eastern Parade, which runs parallel to Eastney Esplanade.

It comes after a section of the esplanade was closed from May 1 for social distancing - meaning traffic was re-directed along Eastern Parade. It has recently reopened.

Eastney and Craneswater representative Cllr Stubbs said: 'We had all the issues around Eastern Parade this summer when the seafront road closed. A resident raised the point with me that it might be better if the majority of traffic went along the seafront.

'The signage would be changed to encourage more people to use the seafront road and people's satnavs - including those for lorry drivers - are more likely to take them down an A-road.

'Due to the volume of traffic along Eastern Parade there were a number of door mirrors being knocked off. There were a lot of near miss accidents. And more significantly a five-year-old was hit by a car, although she was not hurt.'

He also believed the change would 'protect' the road from being closed in the future as a seafront masterplan is out to consultation, which could lead to a number of changes to roads along the seafront in years to come.

'I know there are the new flood defences to take into account and it's bit open question about what could happen to the roads in the future,' he said.

'There are all sorts of options for the seafront including narrowing the road or even removing it. Turning it into an A-road would protect it from being closed.'

However, Cllr Lynne Stagg, the council's transport boss, said the conversion was 'not going to happen.'

'It's completely ludicrous,' she said.

'A-roads need to be extra strong and deep and take the weight of heavier vehicles and more vehicles. The seafront road doesn't have that. It would cost millions because the road would have to be dug up and a new base put down.

'It's not going to happen.'

SEE ALSO: Protestors demand seafront roads are re-opened

The public consultation on the seafront masterplan is open until October 30.

Feedback will be used to guide developers and make future decisions on proposals for the area, while taking into consideration plans for the new sea defences in Southsea.

The notice of motion will be proposed for debate during a full council meeting on Tuesday, October 13.

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