A BID for £55m in levelling-up cash should help the 'lost people of Southampton' in estates instead of the city centre.

That is the view of an opposition councillor who criticised the city council's three bids for cash to improve the centre, Outdoor Sports Centre and regeneration along the River Itchen.

None of the bids cover the city's six estates: Townhill Park, Redbridge, Thornhill, Weston, Northam and Millbrook.

Conservative councillor Peter Baillie said: “No funding has been allocated to the estates.

“Levelling up in Southampton must include the estates of the city (many on the outskirts).

“Too much money is spent on the city centre.”

Instead he is calling for a 'total revamp' of the estates.

READ MORE: Southampton City Council bids for £55m Levelling Up funding

He added: "We need to be targeting those estates, levelling up housing, (especially energy consumption), education, life chances, health and transport connections.

“They are the lost people in Southampton where, for some reason, Labour really don’t wish to spend money.”

The Conservatives were in power in Southampton for a year before losing control of the council at the May election.

Labour councillor Eamonn Keogh, cabinet member for transport and district regeneration, said: "This project would deliver a whole range of improvements to the city centre, including creating a more attractive and dynamic setting for the Bargate area and forming a bridge between the Old Town, Bargate Quarter, Above Bar and West Quay parts of town.

“The housing proposal would deliver nearly 2,000 much-needed new homes, and we recognise that many commuters are choosing sustainable ways to travel so the transport improvements that support this project would focus on walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure.

“Finally, we’re looking at developing Mayflower Park to bring our fantastic port and cruise activity to life for residents and visitors alike including removing the pier.”

Cllr Sarah Bogle, cabinet member for economic development and lead on levelling up, said: “These three bids have the support of a wide range of stakeholders including our three MPs.

“Projects have been selected that meet the challenging timescales set by Government which requires the government funding (the council and partners like ABP have also pledged funding) secured to be spent by end March 2025.

“I expect these will enable much greater investment in the medium to long term."