Bedford Place Scheme and Permanent Pedestrianisation of Carlton Place

Southampton City Council has been working with businesses and local residents of the Bedford Place and Carlton Place area to develop plans for improving it for everyone and enhancing its unique character as a boutique leisure and shopping destination.

We are now ready to share some proposed designs and invite you to comment on them in the Consultation Questionnaire below. The questionnaire will be available until 23 October 2022.

The proposed measures on Bedford Place itself aim to reduce traffic speeds and increase safety. To do this the design incorporates a curved ‘buildout’ on Bedford Place, at its junction with Carlton Place. The buildout, or widened pavement area, will have a level surface and provide an accessible public area with greening and seating. Traffic will be slowed as the buildout will narrow the carriageway and provide an informal 'give way'. It will also reinforce the wider 20mph speed limit planned for the Polygon area.

A key feature is the design for Carlton Place, now a permanently pedestrianised area. The plans include defined areas for hospitality providers to use for outdoor tables and seating and will be enhanced with an open space in the centre of the junction of Carlton Place and Lower Bannister Street. The open space will be suitable for pop up events or markets, with a level surface throughout to make the area more accessible for everyone, along with upgraded CCTV and lighting to improve night-time visibility.

More details of the proposed designs for Bedford Place and Carlton Place can be viewed and commented on in the Consultation Questionnaire. Please use it to give us your feedback.

More information about the background to this project can be found at https://transport.southampton.gov.uk/bedfordplace