By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

Southampton City Council hosted schools minister Damian Hinds MP at Bitterne Park Primary School on Tuesday (April 9) to showcase a successful free holiday scheme, and urge the government to continue funding the nationwide programme permanently.

The library at Cobbett Road, which relies on volunteers to run and provide a service, will now be open on Friday afternoons in addition to the current Wednesdays, it’s been announced.

Crowds turned out to create a community vibe in Bitterne Park on Sunday, to cheer on Southampton marathon runners as they came through Whitworth Crescent and into the Triangle. The Ukulele Jam provided the soundtrack and individually cheered on many runners as they continued onto the onward riverside stretch of their grueling challenge.

By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

More than £2million has been secured to invest in electric vehicle charging and ageing traffic lights across Southampton.

Citizen science that has recently discovered E.coli levels 10 times above that considered safe around Cobden Bridge has been covered in national and regional media.
Recreational use of the river near Cobden Bridge at last year's All Aboard festival

By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

Southampton residents have reported almost 15,000 wheelie bins not being collected in just one month.
Photo: LDRS

Once Bitterne, twice cry

A Bittene Park ward councillor suffered a dog bite requiring hospital attention while out delivering leaflets. In this non-party political piece, councillor Phil Webb, who was elected for the first time last year, mulls the ups and downs of both the role, and local campaigning.

Introducing the genre of photo-poetry, God’s House Tower Stanza Group member and Bitterne Parker Carol Bunday sets the stage for an upcoming exhibition at St Denys Church in April, and shares her journey into this creative fusion.

The grimacingly slow repair work at the St Denys Road bridge, closing one lane, is expected to continue at least into next month, frustrating motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and residents.

Expect craft stalls, food, community groups, a dog show, a craft beer tent and some great local music as community festival TriFest makes a return this summer.

Residents have until April 5 to comment on a planning application for an industrial unit with office space at Centurion Industrial Park, that some fear could affect waterfront access.
Photo: L. Weedy

40% of the Riverside Park line of trees planted to commemorate the Queen’s platinum jubilee died and have been replaced.

By Louise Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

It will soon be time to find the next publicly elected official to be the Hampshire and Isle of Wight top police chief.

Triangle cafe Riverside Diner has been listed for sale.

Work is due to start next month on the installation of a new pedestrian crossing on Mousehole Lane, near Glenfield Infant, Beechwood Junior and other schools.

By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

Work is underway to explore the possibility of a new city metro system, which was one of the recommendations from the Southampton Citizens’ Climate Assembly.

By Brian Thornton

It should never have been here at all and was actually supposed to be just a fountain and not a tower, but somehow against all odds the iconic Clock Tower is celebrating its 90th year in Bitterne Park.

By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

The sale of assets owned by financially stricken Southampton City Council (SCC) is set to move forward – but the sites that could be put on the market remain a mystery to the public.

A citizen science WhatsApp group of strategically located individuals for reporting on frequent sewage odours around the river is looking for two or more volunteers in Bitterne Park

By Natalia Forero, Local Democracy Reporter

There are more than 8,000 applicants for social housing in Southampton but they face waits of up to 11 years and five months for a home.