The local authority has published the latest implementation plan, which aims to deliver on the city’s long-term transport strategy.
The 42-page document, which will be presented to cabinet and full council in the coming weeks, sets out the proposals that align with the strategy’s seven ‘Big Ideas for 2040’.
The full list of proposals for 2025-2028 broken down by theme is as follows:
Southampton Mass Transit System
- Deliver the first bus route improvement plan corridor along Shirley Road.
- Develop proposals for further bus improvements in the city centre.
- Continue to upgrade bus shelters and real time information displays.
- Upgrade interchange facilities at Vincents Walk.
- Roll out further bus priority at signalised traffic junctions.
- Further fare and ticket offers to make travelling by bus more affordable.
- Pump-priming more services to extend hours of service, launch Southampton’s first 24/7 bus services, and develop new routes.
- Continue to investigate and secure funding for electric buses.
- Further develop proposals for Mass Rapid Transit, a new interchange at Southampton Central Station, and increase train frequencies across the Solent.
Park & Ride
- Launch a weekend park and ride service between Southampton West and the city centre.
- Explore the potential for further park and ride sites across the city to support future mass transit.
Better Connections
- Continue to deliver the annual roads and footway resurfacing programme.
- Upgrade most vulnerable traffic signals so they do not fail.
- Junction improvements on Burgess Road at Broadlands Road associated with university development.
- Enforcement of moving traffic offences, including school streets, school zigzags, bus lanes and bus stops.
- Deliver maintenance improvements to Itchen Bridge and projects to celebrate its 50th birthday in 2027.
- Submit the outline business case for Northam Rail Bridge replacement to the Department for Transport for a funding decision.
- Develop the business case for the realignment of West Quay Road.
- Consult on the proposal to deliver a red route along the Ring Road and St Mary’s Road.
- Further develop the business case for the lane rental scheme.
Liveable City Centre
- Deliver incremental steps that enable the closure of Bargate Street to all traffic creating Bargate Square.
- Develop proposals to improve East Street to support local businesses.
- Develop proposals for the route between Southampton Central Station and St Mary’s Stadium, known as Saints Mile, as an axis connecting them with public realm, active travel, bus and wayfinding improvements.
- Work with the developers of Town Quay Pier to implement the transport proposals.
- Work with partners including Network Rail to develop future proposals for Southampton Central Station.
Safety & Inclusion
- Continue to deliver a programme of Safer Routes to School.
- Continue with targeted road safety schemes.
- Continue to deliver more Bikeability training including in SEND schools.
- Future phases of 20mph speed limits in Peartree-Sholing and city centre.
Working with Communities – Travel Planning, Active Travel Zones and Walking
- Deliver a package of walking and cycling improvements for safer access supporting the redevelopment of the Outdoor Sports Centre.
- Develop future proposals for expansion of the Polygon active travel zone.
- Continue to work with workplaces and schools on their travel planning needs and supporting more to become accredited.
- Continue training more children so they can travel independently to school.
- Deliver a programme of small-scale walking improvements in targeted locations such as Portswood, Lordshill or Shirley.
Southampton Cycle Network
- Develop and implement further improvements to create safe cycle routes.
- New and upgraded crossings for cycles.
- Cycle wayfinding signage and updated cycle map.
- A programme of small-scale cycle improvements to remove barriers and changes to make it safer to cycle.
A Zero Emission City
- Continue to work with bus operators and other stakeholders to make the case for investment in the city’s energy grid to deliver a fully electric bus fleet by 2030.
- Deliver over 100 new electric vehicle charging points in residential areas.
- Continue to promote and work with communities on alternative travel.
- Work with other partners on innovative green transport options such as waterborne transport particularly to the Isle of Wight.
