Calls for Southampton to have city centre tram line

That is the proposal by the city's first ever Citizens' Climate Assembly which brought together 130 people who shared their ideas for tackling emissions.

Around 29 per cent of all emissions in the city come from transport - and the current rate of reduction is falling short of national targets.

The assembly's final report calls on Southampton City Council to prioritise a looping "metro-style transport system as we need an innovative, forward-thinking transport solution for future generations".

Other recommendations include more cycle paths - and installing bollards to separate them from roads.

The assembly also wants a park and ride service, and for delivery and bin lorries only to be on the roads during off-peak hours.

The report said: "We would like the council to provide a central city tram loop system connecting the local buses and rail networks.

"This would extend to the outer parts of the city to give easy access to the inner city to all (i.e. Eastleigh, Hedge End etc).

"We need the council to provide one fare system to cover fares from outer city to inner city. This will include buses, bikes and scooters to cover all modes of transport."

The last trams ran in Southampton on February 4, 1950 and there have been repeated failed plans - in 1987 and 2017 - to bring back a tram system.

A tram on Southampton's High Street.

The assembly's report says the council should have "ownership of public transport... in order to provide better investment".

They say a metro system would join up outer city areas, give faster journey times, provide an alternative to car use and boost health.

The report added: "We need to provide a reliable transport system not just for now but for future generations.

"Although this will take time to build with substantial cost, it will benefit the whole city in the long-term."

The report, published on Thursday, says the tram system works for other cities.

Councillor Lorna Fielker, leader of the council, has said she is grateful for the ideas from the assembly.

She said: "Our Citizens’ Climate Assembly has provided us with a unique opportunity to address contentious topics, such as transport emissions, and work towards a more sustainable future for Southampton, we are so grateful to our residents for coming together to create this.”  

Some of the recommendations made will inform the council's next transport plan. 

The University of Southampton paid £16,000 to the charity Involve to run the assembly.

Dr Matt Ryan, Associate Professor at the University of Southampton, said: “Democracy works best when we hear from a wide range of experiences, as well as experts.

"Anyone who observed the process couldn’t help but be impressed by the participants from all walks of life in Southampton who gave up their time to learn, discuss, and decide what they wanted the future of transport in the city to look like.”