Paul, please dont take offence. I've lived in Southampton all my life and know the roads reasonably well (by sight if not by name - have terrible trouble remembering road names) most are more condusive to a 20mph limit, or closing them off to motor traffic (excepting residents and public transport) in my very honest opinion.
Theres more than one way to crack an egg, as they say.
I think we need to work harder on a local level to make sure the road surfaces are improved, are clear of debris. I am an advocate of cyclelanes where they're appropriate... the more you cycle the more you get to understand the complexities of the issues.