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Police in Portsmouth welcome new pedestrian scheme in Guildhall Walk

Press Releases

Published: 06/11/2008


Police in Portsmouth are welcoming a new city centre pedestrian scheme which comes into force on Friday November 7.

Guildhall Walk will be closed to traffic from 6pm until 7am each evening under a temporary traffic order.

This is an experimental order which can last up to 18 months. It is likely to be reviewed in six months time.

The order means that traffic will no longer be able to go along the length of Guildhall Walk. There will be physical barriers present on Friday and Saturday evenings to help enforce this. New ‘no entry’ signs and road markings are also in place.

The scheme also involves a new taxi pick up point at the White Swan end of Guildhall Walk. This will be managed by police and taxi marshals on Friday and Saturday nights.

Chief Inspector James Fulton who oversees policing in Guildhall Walk said: “We are pleased to be working with Portsmouth City Council to implement the pedestrianisation of Guildhall walk.

“It is something we, the police and licensees have been campaigning for for some time, as we felt the right scheme could have a positive impact on crime in the area.”

He added: “We worked closely with PCC and taxi drivers on the positioning of the taxi rank after concerns were raised by the drivers.

“The new scheme also offers increased visibility along Guildhall Walk for police officers and CCTV operators.

“This is part of a wider approach to tackling alcohol fuelled violent crime under our Operation Drink safe banner.”

Rachael Dalby, head of community safety for Portsmouth City Council, said: "We're fully supportive of the pedestrianisation of Guildhall Walk.

“We hope that trialling a scheme, where cars are away from this area, will have the effect of creating more space so people are not squashed together on the pavements - which can sometimes lead to alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour. Freeing up road space will mean more space for partygoers in Guildhall Walk, making the area feel even safer."

Cllr Lynne Stagg, the council's cabinet member for traffic and transportation, said: "Guildhall Walk is being pedestrianised as an experiment, to see if it reduces the problems there at night. "Removing cars from the area should mean fewer accidents involving people walking in the road, and better access for emergency vehicles."


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