CAMPAIGNERS took to the streets of Southampton in their battle against the closure of the Bitterne Walk-in Centre.

They took their fight to Bitterne Precinct before marching around city streets and ending their protest outside the centre itself.

As reported, city health chiefs have launched a consultation on fresh plans to close the facility, saying funds need to be prioritised elsewhere.

The city Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) says closing the facility would allow the organisation to spend “its limited resources where they will have the greatest impact”.

A pilot plan to close the facility for six months was launched last year, but shelved after a public outcry. However, the CCG said at the time that the plans would be back on the table after the General Election, and last month it was announced that it faced a new prospect of closure.

Both Southampton Itchen’s new MP, Conservative Royston Smith, and Labour city council chiefs have said they do not want it to close, while a campaign has been launched to persuade the CCG to halt the proposals.

Saturday’s demonstration started in Bitterne Precinct where 30 protestors carrying placards spelling out “save Bitterne walk-in” walked past shops before walking around some of the streets of Bitterne.

They took a detour past the Conservative club in Dean Road before making their way to the centre in Commercial Street.

Daily Echo:

Addressing around 30 protestors outside the centre, demonstration organiser Nick Chaffey, from the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, said: “We’re requesting that the council launch a consultation on the future of the walk-in centre and hopefully that could become an important part of ensuring whatever the result of the consultation we can make sure that the voices of this side of the city is heard loud and clear.”

“We have to fight in a determined way in solidarity with the staff who are working here.”

Bitterne Park resident Glyn Tudor, 64, said: “The facility is used by 20,000 people over this side of the water.

“To get rid of that would mean a massive hole in the facilities available to people over here.”

Jane Ward, 60, who lives in Bitterne, said: “We have been campaigning since 2010 when the Primary Care Trust first proposed shutting it and nothing has changed.

“They have tried to close it three times and you still can’t get GP appointments our transport across the city to go to the hospital.

“Nothing has changed and they are still not listening.”

And fellow Bitterne resident Brenda Kemp added: “There are 32 GP practices in Southampton and only ten of them are on this side of the city.”

Consultation on the plans continues until September 4, and a public meeting on the plans takes place from 6.30-8pm on July 28 at the Central Hall.