Southampton’s incoming Labour administration has reportedly said a new park and ride has “not been ruled out” for Bitterne after a scheme was withdrawn by the previous Conservative council. Talks are also expected over Townhill Park housing - and there could be new plans for Bitterne Precinct.

A local folk musician has published a book of tunes inspired by local streets near her Midanbury home.

By Stephen Slominski

Eastleigh’s civic and political leaders have hailed a decision by the High Court to refuse an appeal over the legality of the planning permission that was granted for an extension of Southampton Airport’s runway.

Police are urging family members and friends of vulnerable people to be on their guard to protect loved ones from courier fraudsters after Hampshire and Isle of Wight residents lose thousands to courier fraud.

Cargo bikes seem to be in the Bitterne Park news lately. These two did the Growing Places rounds on Saturday (May 21), collecting and delivering spare plants and seeds around the trail for anyone to take home and plant for free. See our previous piece for background.

The Big Plastic Count is taking place from May 16 – 22, aiming to “help uncover the truth about what happens to our plastic waste and force the government to fix it”.

Locals may have spotted an electrically-assisted cargo bike that’s currently on trial at Bitterne Park Stores at the Triangle, which is saving miles of van journeys a week.

It was a case of wellies on and brollies up at Southampton Vineyard Church’s (SVC) community fun day at Riverside Park on Sunday afternoon, which went ahead despite poor weather.

It looks as if Labour, which won control of the council at the local elections, is likely to reopen St Mary’s Leisure Centre.

Photo: Google Maps

The long running Southampton City Council Community Chest grant scheme is back with applications now open for 2022.

A Saturday story time has been added to the schedule at Bitterne Library, there’s a coffee morning and Jubilee events at Portswood – but unfortunately not a lot to report about the Cobbett Road library.

The police station in Bitterne is to be demolished “to remove the risks the empty building poses to the public”, it’s been reported.

Hampshire police are opening a two-week window for the surrender of firearms and ammunition.

Local food banks report they’re now out of stock on 12 different items, and “urgently” need to top up supplies.

Foster Care Fortnight (May 9-22), the Fostering Network charity’s annual awareness-raising campaign, is stressing the need for more people to foster so children can be cared for locally rather than being placed away from their communities.

By David George, Local Democracy Reporter

Exam anxiety is causing more problems in schools than it was before the pandemic, fear headteachers.

Tony Bunday, who won a council seat for Labour in the local election on Thursday (May 5), said he believes he’ll be the first ever councillor for the party in Bitterne Park ward – certainly since Southampton became a unitary authority in 1997.

▶ Labour wins back control of Southampton City Council

Work is due to start on Tuesday (May 10) on a new “continuous crossing” at the junction of Priory Road and Aberdeen Road in St Denys, closing it to traffic for two days.

Photo: Google Maps

A recent Easter market held at a local church raised much-needed cash to keep premises available for local community use.

You can while away some time watching the wildlife on the Itchen near Woodmill, but just a few steps away in the car park the fly-tipping by the recycling banks continues. According to the BBC in 2016, "Fly-tipping costs councils in England and Wales more than £50m annually, and more than 900,000 reports of fly-tipping are received every year." Click through if you like looking at pictures of rubbish!