Southampton City Council will host an online keynote speaker event on Monday (March 9) to mark International Women’s Day and celebrate women living and working across the city.

In this audio interview with wildlife TV presenter Chris Packham, he talks about his memories of growing up around Bitterne Park, including visiting local shops, the libraries, returning to the Triangle today, and more. Click here to go to the interview. Subscription required. Free trial currently available.

Modifications to the Woodmill car park now appear complete. 

By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

Residents will be faced with increased council tax bills again in the coming financial year.
• Changes to council tax reduction for city’s poorest households under review

Roadworks on a stretch of Thomas Lewis Way, expected to finish by July, will result in contraflows from mid-March.

The fifth community day ‘Toes in the Water’ celebrated blue spaces with music, art and participation on Saturday (Feb 28) at St Denys Boat Club.

Temporary signals are due to be put in place on Woodmill Lane from Thursday (March 5) during work to improve drainage.

What was the Old Chemist like when it really was a working pharmacy? And how does it feel to return to the same building decades later, now freshly renovated and serving the community in a very different way?

Southampton City Art Gallery will reopen on Saturday (March 7) following a £2.23m refurbishment, unveiling new acquisitions and a major exhibition.
Photo: Emma Richardson - Studio portrait by James Burns ©

A public consultation has opened on the University of Southampton’s proposed Wessex Lane Project, which would see around 1,100 new student bedrooms built.

Landscaping work to update ‘Woodmill Bay’ in Riverside Park has been delayed since its tentative start last September - it’s understood while aspects of the scheme are “redesigned”.
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 The Shirley ward by-election, which took place on Thursday (Feb 26)  following the resignation of Lib Democrat councillor George Percival, has been won by 21 votes by Lib Dem Chris Shank, who will serve the rest of the term created by the vacancy - until May 2027. Read more for the full results.

Woodmill Outdoor Centre says its future is at risk and has started a crowdfunder after discovering the “catastrophic failure” of its septic tank.

 By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

Free parking in Bitterne is to be restored, it's been announced. 

Reach local readers and back community news: promote your product or service on bitternepark.info today, book online in minutes...>>

By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

Conservative opposition councillor Jeremy Moulton, has said the proposed sale of the car park by St Denys railway station could negatively impact future public transport ambitions.

• St Denys car park facing sell-off, with fly-tipping, ASB and low use cited
Photo: SCC

By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

The city council is proposing the closure and disposal of the St Denys car park in Osborne Road South.
• Opposition councillor warns against St Denys station car park sell-off

By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

A new skate park for Riverside Park is one of seventeen projects revealed as part of a £1.5million investment in green spaces and community assets across Southampton.
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The former St Denys Road car showroom, currently used by a cruise car parking firm, is listed as for sale with an asking price “in excess of £975,000”.

By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

Council leaders in Southampton have unveiled a “budget for investment” with more than £150 million of spending planned to include bin lorries, roads, schools and libraries.

Council budget: City ‘deserves better’ - opposition leader