Plans have been announced by the city council to redevelop the city centre after years of delay, setbacks and lack of investment.
Funding for new city centre roads as part of Portsmouth’s local plan were agreed as part of a package of proposals in the council’s capital budget on Tuesday by councillors of all parties.
A new plan is being put together proposing 2,600 homes and 9,700 permanent jobs as part of a high-level master-plan for the regeneration scheme.
If the new roads go ahead it will open up large parts of land between Princess Royal Road and Cascades Shopping Centre for development.
Research tells us that congestion costs the city’s businesses £10m a year in lost productivity. At the same time, the city centre has some of the highest levels of air pollution in the country.
On a site visit in Commercial Road
“Congestion and air pollution are a massive burden on local people. I hope these new roads will address residents’ concerns and get Portsmouth moving again.”
The new road scheme forms part of a wider city centre development plan being drawn up with more residential housing, new shopping opportunities and a leisure offer.
On the new ideas for the city centre Cllr Morgan said:
“I’m committed to securing a prosperous future for our city. To do that Portsmouth needs to attract more private sector investment to help create the good quality jobs that local people need. With it we must ensure that there is more affordable housing for local people”.
Portsmouth Labour wants to make sure that the city gets the best deal possible to regenerate our tired city centre, and create something for future generations to be proud of.
Cllr Morgan added:
“It is hugely important the council listens to the views of the community in developing these ideas into concrete proposals.
In my opinion a mixed use development with much needed new homes for local people – complementing a better retail offer in the city centre – should be a key part of the plan.
It’s time the heart of our city gets its beat back and is a destination once again”.
