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The scheme would divert 12,000 car journeys a day and be funded using a Government grant in order to make the area ‘more vibrant’ and help reduce emissions.
But over the past two years, it has proven to be very divisive – with a petition to stop the plans gaining a lot of traction as well as garnering support among environmental supporters.
READ MORE: Southampton City Council: Decision day set for Portswood Broadway plan
Those who oppose the plans say it will create rat runs and increase antisocial behaviour.
The council’s overview scrutiny and management committee met on Thursday last week to discuss the plans.
Councillor Dan Fitzhenry, leader of the Tory opposition, said he would ‘scrap plans immediately’ if the Tories returned to power in the city.
He asked Councillor Keogh, the Labour cabinet member for transport who is in charge of the scheme: “If you are presented with results that show from this consultation that people are overwhelmingly not in favour of this proposal, what are you going to do based on your principles that you are operating to?
Cllr Keogh responded: “My principle is it is important that we engage with residents on any decisions and they have a right to be consulted – and if (it’s) the overwhelming view of a consultation, I would never ignore the overwhelming view of a consultation – because that is undemocratic.”
However, the transport boss did follow this up by stating that it is a consultation and ‘not a referendum’.
He went on to say: “Once the results have been thoroughly analysed we will be able to come to a decision that is informed and balanced and one we can justify as a council to residents of this city.”
A third consultation on the scheme has just finished – after the second one last year was deemed to be inadequate.
The final decision on the plan is due to be made by the city council’s cabinet on the 16 January, with the papers on the decision being released eight days earlier on the 8 January.
This will come a few months before the council would have to return the Government grant.
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