Portsmouth council to assess impact of suspending Anchorage Road HGV ban

Portsmouth residents are being invited to have their say as a ban on heavy goods vehicles using Anchorage Road is temporarily suspended.

A ban on heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) weighing more than 7.5 tonnes using Anchorage Road will be temporarily suspended as Portsmouth City Council reviews the existing restriction.

The council has launched an experimental traffic regulation order (ETRO) to assess the impact of the current weight restriction on the road in Anchorage Park.

The restriction was initially introduced in response to local concerns about noise, vibration and air quality.

However, the council said “concerns have still been raised about HGV movements along the route” and that it wished to review the effectiveness of the current restriction.

The ETRO will help establish how Anchorage Park is being used, whether existing restrictions are achieving their intended purpose and how traffic may change if the restriction is removed.

It will also assess the impact on the wider transport network, as well as the effects on residents, businesses and road users.

The council said: “We want to ensure that any future decision about Anchorage Road is based on evidence and a clear understanding of how the route and wider road network operate.

“By collecting traffic data and listening to feedback from residents, businesses and road users, we can better understand the impacts of the existing restriction and the implications of any future changes.

“The review will consider factors including traffic movement, road safety, network resilience, environmental impacts and local amenity, helping us make a balanced and informed decision.”

The ETRO will run for six months, until March 21, 2027, giving residents an opportunity to provide feedback by contacting the traffic regulation order (TRO) team.

Amanda Martin, MP for Portsmouth North, said: “If you live in Anchorage Park or are affected by traffic on Anchorage Road, now is the time to make sure your views are heard.

“Residents may wish to share their experiences and views on the potential impact of changes to the restriction.

“Your feedback can help ensure that residents’ experiences and concerns are considered as part of the decision-making process.”

Once the consultation has ended, the council’s transport cabinet lead will decide whether the weight restriction should remain, be amended or be removed.

Residents can contact the TRO team at [email protected] or on 023 9260 6480.