Camera enforcement to begin on Southampton’s new Portswood Road bus and taxi lane
Southampton City Council has confirmed that camera enforcement of the bus, taxi, and cycle-only section of Portswood Road will begin on Monday 10 February. The move comes as part of the Portswood Project trial, which aims to improve bus journey times and road safety.
The trial has already seen a reduction in private car use on Portswood Road, according to early monitoring data. Pedestrian numbers along Portswood Broadway have also increased since the restriction was introduced. However, despite many drivers complying, some continue to pass through during restricted hours.
To address this, enforcement cameras will be activated to improve compliance. When enforcement begins, first-time offenders will receive a Warning Notice. Any further breaches will result in a £70 Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days. Warning Letters and PCNs will be sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle. There will be an approximate two-week gap between a Warning Notice and a fine to allow drivers time to respond.
Funds raised from PCNs will cover the maintenance and operation of the camera system, with any surplus reinvested into Southampton’s transport network in line with national legislation.
In response to concerns from local residents, the council will also adjust parking near the Brookvale Road and Highfield Lane junction to ease congestion and improve safety. Additional monitoring will take place on Brookvale Road as part of the trial.
Councillor Eamonn Keogh, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport said: “There are a number of goals that we are trying to achieve as part of the Portswood Project trial and a key factor in many of them is ensuring that vehicles travelling from further afield to the city centre use Thomas Lewis Way for their journey.
“We do appreciate that it takes time for people to get used to changes like the ones being trialled in Portswood and so we have allowed two weeks for drivers to adjust to the new restriction without taking any further action. From Monday 10 February, we will be issuing warning letters in the first instance to anyone who passes the new bus/taxi/cycle only restriction to ensure people are aware of the restriction and after that we will issue fines if individuals continue to pass the restriction despite having received the warning letter.”
