Ten key points from city regeneration plans

The city council is bidding for £55m of government funding to help pay for pedestrianisation projects and other schemes that aim to breathe new life into the area.

Council bosses say one of the main aims is to "reconnect the heart of the city to green and blue spaces".

Proposals to improve cycle routes in the city are included in the council's scheme.

Here are ten key points from the proposals:

Urgent repairs to the city's historic Bargate, including the internal and external refurbishment of stonework and statues.

The creation of a 7,500sq m Bargate Square, including new paving that reflects the history of the area, plus improved landscaping, lighting, security and seating, plus water features.

Works to the adjacent city walls.

The pedestrianisation of Bargate Street between Portland Terrace and York Walk, creating an "improved walking and cycling connection" between the Bargate, Above Bar Street, Central Parks and West Quay.

Plans to regenerate parts of Southampton have been drawn up by the city council. (Image: Southampton City Council.)

A new 2,250sq m landscaped public space at Hanover Square.

An extension of Southampton Cycle Network from the Itchen Bridge to West Quay, including 0.5km of segregated cycle routes on Houndwell Place and Queensway.

A new 5,200sq m walking and cycling promenade at Mayflower Park plus the removal of the derelict Royal Pier.

Improvements to the junction of Town Quay and Dock Gate 7.

Bus gates at South Front, Queensway and Bernard Street, a 0.2km bus priority lane on Bernard Street and 20 bus stop upgrades.

The pedestrianisation of East Street to support a market square.

The deputy leader of council, Cllr Darren Paffey, said the proposals could boost jobs, businesses and wellbeing in the city.

He added: "There is a view that anywhere in the South is affluent, but that is not a view anyone here can realistically hold. We are effectively like a northern city that happened to be located in the south.

The council leader, Cllr Satvir Kaur, said the authority was committed to starting work on what she described as the "much-needed and exciting project".

But Royston Smith, Tory MP for Southampton Itchen, said the proposals lacked ambition.

"Southampton has been starved of investment for years. I have long said Levelling up is about opportunity not geography", he said.

"These schemes are not terribly ambitious from the city council but any investment we can achieve would, of course, be very welcome."

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