Cars are now banned from travelling on a popular city street between these hours from today in the latest crackdown in vehicle use. 

Southampton City Council has restricted access to the vital Portswood Road with petrol, diesel and electric vehicles unable to use the pivotal stretch at peak times. 

The new rule comes into effect from Monday, January 27 with officials stressing the move is designed to “improve” public transport journey times. 

Restrictions will apply between 7am and 10am and 4pm and 7pm between Monday to Saturday  with “only authorised vehicles allowed”. 

These include buses, taxis, cyclists, legal e-scooters, e-bikes and emergency service vehicles. 

Local residents have previously protested against the move with business owners pointing out concerns. 

Last year, Kamal Naier, owner of Indian Restaurant, Kohinoor of Kerala, stressed the new rule would "kill Portswood" and damage businesses.

He told the Southern Daily Echo: “This is going to have a massive detriment to my business.

"I don’t know why the council would do this to us.

“At the moment delivery drivers can come right outside our shop for takeaways.

"This will make journeys 15 minutes longer."

Motorists who break the rules will first be issued a Warning Notice with fines only dished out from a second contravention.

Road users breaking the rules again will receive a Penalty Charge Notice of £70 which will drop to £35 if paid within 21 days. 

Officials said: “We are ready to begin the trial of the part-time bus/taxi/cycle-only section of Portswood Road, Active Travel Zones and 20mph signage in neighbouring streets.

"The trial will begin on Monday 27 January 2025 and will continue for at least six months.

“The part-time bus/taxi/cycle-only section of Portswood Road is located between St Denys Road spur and Westridge Road and the restriction will apply at peak times.”

Councillor Eamonn Keogh, cabinet member for transport, explained the previous negative reaction from residents was why the project is simply being trialled. 

At the end of the trial period, there may be scope to amend the scheme and extend the trial period or remove the changes altogether.

Eamonn said: “We appreciate that there are strong feelings within the Portswood community both for and against the proposals which is why we are progressing with this trial which will provide more evidence to inform future decisions.

“I would like to thank all the people who have engaged with us on the proposals so far for their commitment to making Portswood the best place it can be and encourage anyone yet to do so to join in and let your voice be heard.”