New blueprint for Southampton’s future (From Daily Echo)

Climate change? How's that going to help? Tackling transport problems, yes, but how about tackling poor building planning instead? I may not live in Southampton but seriously, if you wanna be a great waterfront city then the hint is in the phrase, start with the waterfront.

more drawings, more writing, more models and more of nothing to come.

Zeo wrote:
more drawings, more writing, more models and more of nothing to come.

and more cost that the city tax payers will have to cough up.

some one do the city a favour and sack smith he bloody hopeless.
southampton a working city, not a tourist city, here's an idea in a way he should be thinking, now they got there hands on small part of the docks, clear it off all all those silly building turn it back into docks and undercut ABPJ and invite ferry companys and small cargo shipping, then the profit made use it to keep council tax down and use what ever to improve the city, like rebuilding all the city walls

I'm sure Condor Man will be along shortly to defend his decision to help re-elect the likes of Smith.

You accused my criticism of their re-election as being 'sour grapes' recently Condor.

No. It was because I'm sick to the back teeth of this kind of rubbish from our council.

Redback wrote:
I'm sure Condor Man will be along shortly to defend his decision to help re-elect the likes of Smith.

You accused my criticism of their re-election as being 'sour grapes' recently Condor.

No. It was because I'm sick to the back teeth of this kind of rubbish from our council.

How do you expect it happen ?

Ask one of the infant schools to do a project on designing a city's infrastructure ?

Cyber-Fug wrote:

Redback wrote:
I'm sure Condor Man will be along shortly to defend his decision to help re-elect the likes of Smith.

You accused my criticism of their re-election as being 'sour grapes' recently Condor.

No. It was because I'm sick to the back teeth of this kind of rubbish from our council.

How do you expect it happen ?

Ask one of the infant schools to do a project on designing a city's infrastructure ?

If this was a one-off, you may have a point.

But it's not.

We're treated to a constant stream of 'visions', 'plans', and 'landmark developments'. Yet the only thing that ever actually gets built is more flats.

Our councillors should earn their money by doing the work and putting the thought in themselves. Take a trip to Bristol for example, see what they've done with their city, and talk to their council.

Hopefully the brief will cover areas such as Lordshill that desperately need redeveloping. Not all our district centres have faired too well. Many areas of the city are blighted by the post war building boom.

Redback wrote:

Cyber-Fug wrote:

Redback wrote: I'm sure Condor Man will be along shortly to defend his decision to help re-elect the likes of Smith. You accused my criticism of their re-election as being 'sour grapes' recently Condor. No. It was because I'm sick to the back teeth of this kind of rubbish from our council.

How do you expect it happen ? Ask one of the infant schools to do a project on designing a city's infrastructure ?

If this was a one-off, you may have a point. But it's not. We're treated to a constant stream of 'visions', 'plans', and 'landmark developments'. Yet the only thing that ever actually gets built is more flats. Our councillors should earn their money by doing the work and putting the thought in themselves. Take a trip to Bristol for example, see what they've done with their city, and talk to their council.

You must be jokin!. Bristol is a nightmare - completely built up, traffic gridlock like London, and you feel like you are going to get mugged!

We have the Victorians to thank for our legacy of the Parks and the Common, something Bristol has not got!

Oh no! not again. I see those figures 25,000 employed and 5,000 new homes - and I don't know whether to laugh or cry! the new jobs will only be for a couple of years, the homes will look like all the others, faceless, cramped, they rather remind me of the old Alms houses but newer.

goard

Redback wrote:

Cyber-Fug wrote:

Redback wrote:
I'm sure Condor Man will be along shortly to defend his decision to help re-elect the likes of Smith.

You accused my criticism of their re-election as being 'sour grapes' recently Condor.

No. It was because I'm sick to the back teeth of this kind of rubbish from our council.

How do you expect it happen ?

Ask one of the infant schools to do a project on designing a city's infrastructure ?

If this was a one-off, you may have a point.

But it's not.

We're treated to a constant stream of 'visions', 'plans', and 'landmark developments'. Yet the only thing that ever actually gets built is more flats.

Our councillors should earn their money by doing the work and putting the thought in themselves. Take a trip to Bristol for example, see what they've done with their city, and talk to their council.

The majority of the previous plans and visions have been artist impressions by the developers themselves.

I see this as a positive step forward as it will take into account traffic problems etc.

I also think that Bristol was a bad example, poorly designed and developments added as "space fillers".

I can also imagine what certain people would be saying if they were sent to other city's........ Here they go again wasting more money on jollies....Once again the Council find themselves in a no win situation.

Southy
Your the reason we are a Tourist City!
This city is unable to attract medium to large business - Why?

Tommy News wrote:

Redback wrote:

Cyber-Fug wrote:

Redback wrote: I'm sure Condor Man will be along shortly to defend his decision to help re-elect the likes of Smith. You accused my criticism of their re-election as being 'sour grapes' recently Condor. No. It was because I'm sick to the back teeth of this kind of rubbish from our council.

How do you expect it happen ? Ask one of the infant schools to do a project on designing a city's infrastructure ?

If this was a one-off, you may have a point. But it's not. We're treated to a constant stream of 'visions', 'plans', and 'landmark developments'. Yet the only thing that ever actually gets built is more flats. Our councillors should earn their money by doing the work and putting the thought in themselves. Take a trip to Bristol for example, see what they've done with their city, and talk to their council.

You must be jokin!. Bristol is a nightmare - completely built up, traffic gridlock like London, and you feel like you are going to get mugged!

We have the Victorians to thank for our legacy of the Parks and the Common, something Bristol has not got!

when you take into account of the population of bristol and the number of cars and a much higher number visitors and higher commercial traffic, there planning has been 10 times better than southampton, we have a much lower density than bristol and the traffic here is grid lock here too.

southy wrote:

Tommy News wrote:

Redback wrote:

Cyber-Fug wrote:

Redback wrote: I'm sure Condor Man will be along shortly to defend his decision to help re-elect the likes of Smith. You accused my criticism of their re-election as being 'sour grapes' recently Condor. No. It was because I'm sick to the back teeth of this kind of rubbish from our council.

How do you expect it happen ? Ask one of the infant schools to do a project on designing a city's infrastructure ?

If this was a one-off, you may have a point. But it's not. We're treated to a constant stream of 'visions', 'plans', and 'landmark developments'. Yet the only thing that ever actually gets built is more flats. Our councillors should earn their money by doing the work and putting the thought in themselves. Take a trip to Bristol for example, see what they've done with their city, and talk to their council.

You must be jokin!. Bristol is a nightmare - completely built up, traffic gridlock like London, and you feel like you are going to get mugged!

We have the Victorians to thank for our legacy of the Parks and the Common, something Bristol has not got!

when you take into account of the population of bristol and the number of cars and a much higher number visitors and higher commercial traffic, there planning has been 10 times better than southampton, we have a much lower density than bristol and the traffic here is grid lock here too.

I agree. Bristol is a far more attractive and vibrant city. As is Cardiff and many others.

In fact, we're probably now the poor elation to that unspeakable place down the road.

*relation

Will the potholes be repaired by 2026?

I too agree that a lot could be learnt from both Bristol and Cardiff. Each have developed their respective waterfront's with great vision and a good balance of recreational/work environment. Also, Gunwharf is far ahead of where Southampton waterfront should be leading from.
Wouldn't suggest anyone holds their breath though...

"I agree. Bristol is a far more attractive and vibrant city. As is Cardiff and many others.

In fact, we're probably now the poor elation to that unspeakable place down the road."

We had a Labour Council for far too long and it held Southampton back.

Portsmouth is far more go ahead.

Doesn't help that we have two Labour MPs.

No one wants to invest in anything but guaranteed tourism - a lowly paid industry!

I whole heartedly agree with this, we desperately need the waterfront regenerated. The remains of the pier need to be demolished, with the gatehouse as a centre piece to reclaimed land across to Town Quay (which will need saving before if falls apart).

The problem is that the planners in Southampton thus far have been AWFUL just DIABOLICAL. Look at Notebeme House across from Harbour House, that monstrosity is supposed to represent a medieval tower? It's a bloody carbuncle is what it is!

Instead of playing arty **** airy fairy Tudor streets in the sky with cedar board and pipe dreams, we should support this and that means investment!

To invest we need to conserve/save money so a good weed out of the dead beats and layabouts in the Civic Centre could be a good start, starting in the Planning Office!!!!

I whole heartedly agree with this, we desperately need the waterfront regenerated. The remains of the pier need to be demolished, with the gatehouse as a centre piece to reclaimed land across to Town Quay (which will need saving before if falls apart).

The problem is that the planners in Southampton thus far have been AWFUL just DIABOLICAL. Look at Notebeme House across from Harbour House, that monstrosity is supposed to represent a medieval tower? It's a bloody carbuncle is what it is!

Instead of playing arty **** airy fairy Tudor streets in the sky with cedar board and pipe dreams, we should support this and that means investment!

To invest we need to conserve/save money so a good weed out of the dead beats and layabouts in the Civic Centre could be a good start, starting in the Planning Office!!!!

Redback wrote:

southy wrote:

Tommy News wrote:

Redback wrote:

Cyber-Fug wrote:

Redback wrote: I'm sure Condor Man will be along shortly to defend his decision to help re-elect the likes of Smith. You accused my criticism of their re-election as being 'sour grapes' recently Condor. No. It was because I'm sick to the back teeth of this kind of rubbish from our council.

How do you expect it happen ? Ask one of the infant schools to do a project on designing a city's infrastructure ?

If this was a one-off, you may have a point. But it's not. We're treated to a constant stream of 'visions', 'plans', and 'landmark developments'. Yet the only thing that ever actually gets built is more flats. Our councillors should earn their money by doing the work and putting the thought in themselves. Take a trip to Bristol for example, see what they've done with their city, and talk to their council.

You must be jokin!. Bristol is a nightmare - completely built up, traffic gridlock like London, and you feel like you are going to get mugged!

We have the Victorians to thank for our legacy of the Parks and the Common, something Bristol has not got!

when you take into account of the population of bristol and the number of cars and a much higher number visitors and higher commercial traffic, there planning has been 10 times better than southampton, we have a much lower density than bristol and the traffic here is grid lock here too.

I agree. Bristol is a far more attractive and vibrant city. As is Cardiff and many others.

In fact, we're probably now the poor elation to that unspeakable place down the road.

Bristol puts Southampton and Portsmouth to shame! I went there over new year and there were barely any empty shops at all (I visited at least two shopping centres there, plus their high street). In addition to this, everything was well laid out and even as a first time visiter I found my way around easily. Instead of taking a 'That'll do' attitude, the council should be considering the bigger picture. What about a tram from the City Centre to a nice waterfront development near Mayflower Park or Ocean Village? Why wasn't Ocean Village developed more like Port Solent with nice restaurants and shops and less like a housing estate? The various developments in the city over the past 10 years have just been a jumbled mess, built with the sole intention of making money and with no thought given to anything else. It makes me sad that Southampton is one of the biggest cities on the south coast with a vibrant history and yet its potential hasn't been utilised.

Sorry I haven't been able to post until now, some of us have work to do! As for the proposals Southampton needs to do more to attract higher paid professionals into the city for a number of reasons:
1. it will bring better shops to the city, which will bring in more punters from other places;
2. it will improve attainment levels in schools, which will in turn lead to higher education funding;
3. it will drive up expectations

At the moment Southampton has far few prosperous areas, I remember one ex Lib Dum councillor telling me there were too many council houses meaning that we had swaythes of poverty across the city.

If Southampton wants to be on a par with Bristol we need to encourage more middle class people into the area, instead of going to Chandlers Ford.

I am fond of Bristol although, like Liverpool, you only have to go a short distance and find yourself in some very dangerous areas night and day. Some horrendous sink estates and the usual junkie scum as in any major city.

The Bristol waterfront is quite good but very run-down in some places so it's not as pristine as made out.


Southampton has never really capitalised on its rich heritage, history and the waterfront could and should have that elusive 'wow' factor that we all bang on about.

At least our cruise ship port status might kickstart some real investment and forward thinking but from where?