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.
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As reported, the resident-led assembly recently published priority actions to improve the city’s transport system.
Recommendations included a metro-style transport system, a park and ride facility and investment in cycling infrastructure.
Southampton City Council cabinet member for transport Cllr Eamonn Keogh, pictured, said the local authority’s leadership was committed to working with residents to take forward what was said at the assembly.
At a full council meeting on March 20, Liberal Democrat Cllr Richard Blackman asked how the Labour administration would prioritise the assembly’s recommendations.
Cllr Keogh said: “The council has acknowledged these recommendations, including progress on the Southampton cycle network, exploration of mass-transit options and the development of a park and ride service for Southampton General Hospital staff.”
The cabinet member was asked how the more impactful mass-transit system and wider park and ride offering would be prioritised.
In relation to a metro, Cllr Keogh told the meeting the delivery of such networks in other parts of the country had been helped by devolution deals, which the Solent region did not have yet.
“We are moving at a pace that we know but obviously being able to give a timeline to that is going to be a real challenge,” Cllr Keogh said.
He added that the transport team had already conducted “advanced studies” on the type of mass-transit metro-style system that could be delivered and the funding requirements.
A park and ride for hospital staff, which opened in 2022, was funded as part of the £57million Transforming Cities programme.
Cllr Keogh said this showed the value of having a government committed to funding significant infrastructure projects.
Southampton Citizens’ Climate Assembly was created by the council, University of Southampton and charity Involve.
It brought together 40 randomly selected residents late last year to explore issues around climate change and transport.
The assembly shared its recommendations with the council and other stakeholders at a launch event in early March.
Alongside the large infrastructure concepts, the suggestions included work on the affordability, accessibility and safety of the transport system, as well as work on education and communication to improve understanding.
Photo of Manchester tram: Image by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay Photo of Cllr Keogh: SCC;
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