An £850,000 traffic-calming scheme is set to be dismantled following a residents’ campaign. The project saw Southampton City Council introduce several “buildouts” – raised platforms and bollards – to narrow Glen Eyre Road and force drivers to give way, reports the BBC.

Critics said the measures, installed less than three years ago to reduce congestion, had had the opposite effect and increased traffic levels and dangerously pushed vehicles to one side of the road, prompting residents to hold several demonstrations.

The council will launch a public consultation today (31 July) that will propose removing the majority of the platforms.

Bassett Conservatives chairman Amanda Guest, who has been part of the resident campaign, described the scheme as a waste of taxpayer money

“Hopefully, the council will learn from this and ensure that, in future, constituents are properly consulted and kept informed about any follow-up proposals before decisions are made,” she said.

Liberal Democrat Bassett ward councillor Richard Blackman said he had not heard anybody with “a good word to say” about the measures.

Jacqui Rayment, Labour councillor responsible for transport at Southampton City Council, said a consultation on a traffic regulation order (TRO) to remove the measures would start on Friday.

“The TRO will include the removal of the buildouts on Glen Eyre Road – except for the three that support the electric vehicle charging bays – and the relocation of the e-scooter and e-bike parking bay to a new location that will be agreed.

“The on-street parking is proposed to be retained in its current form.”

She said that, pending no issues with the TRO, work to remove the buildouts could take place to coincide with scheduled resurfacing and drainage works, limiting disruption in the area.

(Picture: Mapillary)