CAMPAIGN VICTORY: Council Finally Gets More Control of Its Own Roads with Disruption Charging

 

FOUR MONTHS OF DISRUPTION ON SHIRLEY HIGH STREET
Photo: Southampton Independents

Back in May, after two months of chaos caused by Southern Water and Southampton City Council, Andrew Pope called for the Council to get a grip of its roads, and to bring in "disruption charging", also known as "lane rental". 

Businesses and residents have faced four months of disruption. And it isn't over yet. 

Andrew says:

GONE! This shop closed during the disruption to Shirley High Street
Photo: Andrew Pope

"I spoke to the businesses on Shirley High Street and the Federation of Small Businesses - some of those businesses are members of the FSB, and I contacted the Council to ask what they had done to speed up the roadworks by Southern Water.

The answer was that they had done next to nothing. If the Council had done anything, it wasn't clear in the responses to my emails, and other emails that I had seen from other sources. 

Southern Water gave no completion date when the works started. Then under pressure from me, they apologised for breaking their own water pipes, with the help of their contractors. And the end date slipped from July to August. Businesses were told of this slippage after pressure from me to Southern Water and its contractors. Business owners told me that Southern Water sent out their PR people to speak to them, and told them the end date of the works had slipped to August, having previously told them it would be July.

I heard from the owners that businesses were struggling and takings were down, some by as much as 30%. They had been told by Southern Water that they had to apply to a compensation scheme. The businesses told me that the scheme was highly intrusive, and I confirmed this with Southern Water. Businesses were put off applying by the bureaucracy, and the intrusiveness of it. Other businesses did not think they would get much money.

So I've taken more action to put pressure on the Council and Southern Water, to try to avert this type of disruption in the future.

I saw that Hampshire County Council had already brought disruption charging in, to charge companies who wanted to rip up our roads for the umpteenth time.

I made enquiries with Southampton City Council, who admitted that they had botched their attempt to bring it in last year. Their application was refused.

They said that they had to apply again to the Government, because of the botched attempt.

I asked the Council to confirm whether Shirley High Street was included. They confirmed that it was.

And now it is confirmed that the disruption charging is in place.

If the Council had not botched their first application, Southern Water would have been under more pressure to get the works done quicker than four months. But Labour does not have a grip of its officers. After all, there has been four different councillors responsible for Transport in the last two years.

What was most disappointing, but not surprising, is that the Labour Cabinet Member for Transport, Councillor Jacqui Rayment, did not respond to my queries.

So I went via other routes to get action for Shirley businesses and residents, and for all residents and visitors. 

Now water, electricity, broadband and gas companies will be charged, and will think twice before ripping up our roads for the umpteenth time.

And yes I've confirmed that this also applies to the hated Balfour Beatty "Partnership" with the Council, for which I continue to call for the contract to be cancelled. I am making further queries inside and outside the Council about achieving that.  

Rubber ducks, and my deep investigation into how Labour is giving Balfour Beatty another 60 million of your cash, was just the start. They refused to cancel the contract, but it is inevitable that they will."

 

Rubber ducks in Southampton potholes
Photo: Southampton Independents

ROADS CAMPAIGN: "Will the Labour-Run Council Ever Get A Grip of our City's Road Works?" Campaigner Andrew Pope Asks

 

Map of roads disruption in Western Southampton May 2026
Image: Causeway

Collapsed sewer repair on Shirley High Street by Southern Water
Photo: Southampton Independents (AP)

Collapsed sewer repair on Shirley High Street by Southern Water
Photo: Southampton Independents (AP)

This week, the BBC and Daily Echo reported on Southern Water breaking its own water pipe and causing a high fountain on Shirley High Street, next to Shirley Precinct and all the shops on the main road.

It was the latest part of a farce involving a collapsed sewer, investigated and reported by campaigner Andrew Pope. He says:

"I was driving past these roadworks, which have been going for two months now.

My car got wet, I had to wind my car window up so that I didn't get wet and my car didn't get wet inside from the water feature brought about by the incompetence of Southern Water and its contractors.

This disruption has affected residents and businesses. As a local businessman, I've contacted the Federation of Small Businesses to ask them to help me and other local business people.

As a local resident, I've also contacted the Council, local Lib Dem and Green councillors, Southern Water's contractors and local media. 

Will the Labour-Run Council ever get a grip of our City's road works?

I already asked them to cancel the Balfour Beatty contract, which they refused to do, as reported by the Daily Echo.

 

Guess the Pothole Rownhams Road 2026
Image: Southampton Independents (AP)

 

And I had to embarrass the Council and their Balfour Beatty contractors, by putting rubber ducks in the potholes, also reported by the Daily Echo. Many people heard about my actions to humiliate the Labour-run Council, and the serious point was for the Council to take control of our roads.

 

Extract from Andrew Pope Election Leaflet April 2026
Image: Southampton Independents / Independent Network

  

So as the Council haven't got a grip, I am now placing more demands on the Council and councillors.

I want to see all those privatised utility companies - water, gas, electricity, telephone, broadband - have to PAY MORE FINANCIALLY to dig up our roads.

They should have never been privatised in the first place. Public services have been broken up and sold off for private profit, and it has not been for the benefit of taxpayers, citizens or businesses.

The permit system has been an utter failure, as proved by the huge amount of disruption across Southampton.

Now Southampton must have disruption charging, also known as lane rental. The former Cabinet Member for Transport botched its first attempt. There have been four different people in the role over the past two years:

1. Eamonn Keogh, who I called to be sacked, and he was, 
2. Christie Lambert who was only in place for a short while, then 
3. Alex Winning who lost his seat this month, now 
4. Jacqui Rayment since the Full Council this week.

Will the latest Councillor in that role finally sort this out? Past experience suggests not, but perhaps there is a faint hope."

 

RESIDENT ACTION: Help Us To Hold Labour Councillors To Account for Extending the Tories' Failed Roads and Pavements Contract

 

Labour's Highway Robbery - Councillors Bung Balfour Beatty ANOTHER £60 MILLION

Labour or Tory, same old story. We've been saying this for a decade now. Southampton people say it back to us on their doorsteps, on social media and in their emails. People agree and are deserting Labour and the Tories in their droves. 

The state of our City's roads is another glaring example of Labour's failures since 2012, when they took control of the Council. They've had thirteen years in power, with the Tories having just one year.

Andrew Pope invented "Guess the Pothole" in 2017 to bring attention to the terrible state of our roads. He brought it back this year, because NINE YEARS LATER, they haven't improved. The rubber ducks are fun, but they bring a serious point that the contract has failed Southampton, despite the huge amount of public money spent on it.

Residents want the Balfour Beatty contract CANCELLED - a decision which our independent colleagues in Herefordshire Council have told us, has already been done. 

But Labour has allocated £60 MILLION to a company that has repeatedly admitted blacklisting - despite Councillor Andrew Pope changing the procurement rules of the Council when last a councillor, to prohibit blacklisting.

 

Extension, not Cancellation - IN SECRET

As exclusively investigated and reported by our Co-Founder Andrew Pope, the Labour-run Council has EXTENDED the failing roads and pavements contract with Balfour Beatty. The Council call it the Highways Service Partnership. 

But there was no fanfare. As exclusively confirmed by Andrew Pope's questions to Council officers, there was no media release of the extension. 

The decision was done in the Council Chamber in secret, with the public not allowed to see the details or hear any debate or ask questions about the detail. This is YOUR MONEY. The Head of Legal allowed this to be done. Do you agree that this is wrong?

The Council's so-called "Transparency Report" was hard to find. It was published in the tiniest writing that had to be zoomed into by 300% to be able to read. Buried in there, Andrew found the £60 million figure and asked Council officers why it was so hidden, and why it wasn't made clearer. 

 

Council's Refusal of Cancellation - They Say It's All in the Past

As exclusively revealed, Council officers have REFUSED Andrew Pope's request on behalf of Southampton residents to CANCEL the contract. 

Andrew asked for this because residents say that the contract has failed for sixteen years since 2010, and because Balfour Beatty blacklisted workers. 

The Council claims that blacklisting is all in the past, so it's OK. Various unions including Unite have said that blacklisting is continuing. Is there another secret list, the same as the Economic League and Consulting Association.

So we have exclusively revealed which Labour councillors voted FOR this extension. They would have had to stand up in the Council chamber and said "For!" when each of them was asked by the Lord Mayor for their vote.

As in our previous article, they were:

"From the Minutes of the meeting, you can see it was Labour councillors only. This INCLUDES the two now Labour MPs, Satvir Kaur and Darren Paffey:

"NOTE: NOTE: FOR THE RECOMMENDATIONS: Councillors Allen, Barnes-Andrews, Blatchford, Bogle, M Bunday, Cox, Denness, Evemy, Fielker, Finn, A Frampton, Y Frampton, Goodfellow, Greenhalgh, Kataria, Kaur, Kenny, Keogh, Lambert, Leggett, Letts, McCreanor, McEwing, Mintoff, Noon Paffey, Payne, Quadir, Renyard, Savage, Shields, Ugwoeme, Whitbread, Winning and T Bunday." 

 

Andrew Pope says: 

 

Andrew Pope on BBC South Today when councillor
Image: Southampton Independents (CT)

  

We have provided the councillors' names, and now we also provide web links to their councillor pages on the Council website, so that you can email them and ask them why. 

That is how our democracy is supposed to work, isn't it? 

Elected representatives must be held accountable for their decisions on behalf of the people of Southampton. Otherwise this looks like a highway robbery by Labour.

Tell us what they say. 

Tell us if they don't respond.

Southampton Independents is a voluntary organisation. It was founded by residents for residents.

We listen to residents. We act with residents.

If elected to the Council again on 7th May, I will have more powers to get answers for residents on the roads and pavements. And I will continue my campaign to get the Balfour Beatty contract CANCELLED!"

 

The Councillor web page is here. Just click the councillor's photo and you can then see their email address.

The format for Southampton councillor email addresses is "councillor" then a dot/full stop then their initial for their first name, then a dot/full stop, then their surname, then "@southampton.gov.uk".

So for the Leader of the Council and Shirley ward councillor Alex Winning (at least until Friday 8th May), it is:

councillor.a.winning@southampton.gov.uk

For Councillor Simon Letts, who was responsible for that year's budget, which the spending is part of, it is

councillor.s.letts@southampton.gov.uk 

And so on...

Let us know how you get on, by contacting us here. 

 

 

ROAD SAFETY: Checking The Safety of the City to Western Cycle Route - For Everyone

 

Western Cycle Route Sign
Photo: Andrew Pope

Today, safety campaigner Andrew Pope checked the road safety of the Western Cycle Route SCN1 from the Civic Centre, Southampton, through the West of the City and out to Totton over the River Test.

 

Western Cycle Route Millbrook Road
Photo: Andrew Pope

Andrew walked from the City Centre to the Redbridge Roundabout, checking as he went along and taking photos.

 

Cycle Route Sign
Photo: Andrew Pope

Andrew says:

 

Andrew Pope on the Western Cycle Route
in Redbridge Ward
Photo: Andrew Pope

  

"I put in a lot of effort to get the Redbridge ward section of this route right. So I did not want to see it degrade over time.

The Redbridge ward used to go right up to Millbrook Roundabout, and that is where I took action - from Redbridge Roundabout to Millbrook Roundabout.

The original plans were dangerous, including bringing trucks into the same zone as cyclists at the UPS and Selco sites, on the pavement side. I stopped this by moving the cycle route to the far side.

I was the only councillor of the three Redbridge councillors who took action. The other two (both Labour) just went along with the original plans.

I worked with businesses, cyclists, the Southampton Cycling Campaign, Council officers, local residents and managers of the sites adjacent to the route.

It took years and great effort to get it right. I tried hard to minimise the risks:

• to residents
• to cyclists
• to motorists
• to pedestrians
• to truck drivers

I am pleased to report that the Redbridge ward section was the safest part of the route, containing a lot of segregated cycle paths from the road. And it still is the safest part.

I know from being a cyclist, a pedestrian and a motorist, what risks there are.

So I mitigated those risks by working in partnership, and being patient and thoughtful. Council officers eventually understood what I was trying to achieve, once I brought the Cycling Campaign out on site to meet them.

I spoke to Roy, a cyclist today that I flagged down on the route. I asked him what he thought of the route. 

He said in 2012 it was unusable and dangerous. He said that I should be congratulated for my work, because it is now excellent, especially the segregated sections.

I am pleased. But on the way, I did find some concerns, which I will be acting on. I prioritise safety when other councillors either do not look, or do not see it or do not act."

Segregated Cycle Path
Photo: Andrew Pope

For Information: SGN Gas Main Replacement Affecting Maybush Corner Area of Southampton

Gas Main Works at Maybush Corner
Photo: Southampton Independents

 

Andrew Pope of the Independent Network and Co-Founder of Southampton Independents, has received the below information from Southern Gas Networks (SGN), who are working on gas mains in the Maybush Corner area of Southampton. 

Andrew says: 

Andrew Pope

"I asked for this information direct from the private gas company SGN, and they've provided it, so I'm passing it on to residents and businesses.

I've visited the site several times and spoken with staff. They are replacing the gas main and the works are deemed to be essential, according to them.

I've listened to bus users who have complained about the bus stop being moved. This included an elderly man Derek who has mobility problems. So we sat down and talked about it. And I've raised it with the bus company.

I've also spoken to Council officers about the bushes and trees that were cut back, because there may have been nesting birds. They said there were none.

While I was there, I took some photos for Guess the Pothole and reported potholes, two of which are now fixed. There is still a long rut in the middle of the road though.

The Labour-run Council's contractors Balfour Beatty are there checking up that SGN are doing it right according to the regulations. Regulations put in place by Tories. Like SGN, Balfour Beatty are also private contractors, contracted and extended under successive Tory and Labour councils, as documented on our website.

It seems like everything has been split up from central control and sold off, so it's no wonder the public feel the country and the Council is badly run and in constant chaos.

It is worth noting that the Thatcher Tory Government privatised gas, starting forty years ago in 1986. Labour has promised to bring at least part of it under national Government, but like many other broken promises that they've made, Labour has not. Labour or Tory, same old story."

The gas main works are causing disruption on the roads, with the bins, with wildlife, trees and bushes, and more. Get in touch if you want. You can also contact SGN at the details below.

We provide the information straight from SGN, without further comment, for your information. Emphasis has been added. 

"[SGN] would like to provide an update on our programme of gas main replacement work taking place in your local area.  Due to unforeseen engineering challenges our programme, and its traffic management, have changed from what was originally communicated, our plans are now as follows: 
 
14th March to Week Commencing 23rd March: Rownhams Road and Romsey Road – Road Closure and Traffic Lights
Rownhams Road will remain closed. We will be working under two light heads on Romsey Road. However, please note we will be flipping the works area and the live running lane. The light head at Wimpson Lane will remain as per the current traffic management set up. 
 
Week Commencing 23rd March to 30th March: Romsey Road – Traffic Lights
Following completion of reinstatement at Romsey Road junction Rownhams Road, the team will continue along Romsey Road between the junctions of Winchester Road to Rownhams Road under lights. 
 
30th March to 10th April: Romsey Road – Directional Road Closure
After this, we will amend traffic management to a westbound directional road closure between Winchester Road and Redbridge Hill, to complete a connection. 
 
10th April to 4th May: Romsey Road – Traffic Lights
The team will continue works along Romsey Road, from the junction of Winchester Road to Ashmead Road, under lights. Please note, the four-way junction of Romsey Road and Rownhams Road will be unaffected during this phase.
 
4th May to 29th May: Wimpson Lane – Directional Road Closure
We will have a southbound directional lane closure in place on Wimpson Lane. Northbound traffic will remain unaffected.
 
We understand our work can be disruptive for road users and residents; our engineers are committed to completing these works as quickly and as safely as possible. These works are essential to ensure we can continue to provide a safe and efficient gas supply to residents and wider community and avoid further disruptive gas leaks in the future. 
 
If you need to speak to us about these works, please email our customer service team  customer@sgn.co.uk or call us on 0800 912 1700, they will direct your enquiry to a member of the team for response. 
 
We’re sorry for the inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience and understanding. 
 
SGN Southern Replacement" 

 

 

It's Back - Let's Play GUESS THE POTHOLE!

 

Get Your Ducks In A Row
Photo: Southampton Independents

Inventor of this game Andrew Pope, who is a Member of the Independent Network and Co-Founder of Southampton Independents, says:

 

Andrew Pope

 

"It's spring, let's get our ducks in a row. And our ducklings too.

 

Which road in Southampton is the pothole in? 

 

No prizes are given

But you will get 

The warm glow

To know 

That your ducks

Are in a row!

Southampton's favourite pothole-related game is back, on our Facebook page here.

Like the page to follow us and take part.

... 

A bit of help for you, the second clue of the road is in my poem... More clues will be added, so get involved and guess the pothole!"

 

Pope Calls For Captain Chaos Councillor Keogh To Be Sacked - Yet Labour's Leader of the Council Defends Him

 

Captain of Chaos Councillor Eamonn Keogh
Photo: Southampton City Council

In mid-February, founder of Southampton Independents and former Independent Councillor Andrew Pope called in a letter published by the Daily Echo for Councillor Eamonn Keogh to be sacked by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Lorna Fielker.

This call from outside the Council sparked calls from so-called "opposition" councillors to actually provide some opposition, and have called for Keogh to resign.

Incredibly, as a result of the pressure from outside the Council and inside it, Lorna Fielker has defended Eamonn Keogh and the disastrous Portswood Broadway changes, saying:

Councillor Lorna Fielker
Leader of Southampton City Council
Photo: Southampton City Council

"We understand that change can be challenging, which is why the bus gate project is a trial. 

The council is closely monitoring its impact by collecting data, actively listening to the community, and making adjustments to ease congestion and improve road safety where concerns arise.

"Throughout the trial, Councillor Keogh has been regularly visiting the area, holding formal meetings with residents and the local school to hear concerns firsthand, and he will continue to do this.

"These insights will help inform decisions as the trial progresses."

Andrew Pope responds:

"I am pleased that Conservative councillors have finally provided some opposition. When I too was in opposition on the Council as an Independent, their opposition was regularly supine. And even now, they regularly agree with Labour.

Labour or Tory, same old story, Southampton people say.

Whether sacked or resigned, it doesn't really matter how he goes, Councillor Keogh must go, for the good of our City, its residents and businesses.

Remember that Councillor Lorna Fielker as Leader of the Council decides who is in her Cabinet, and it is Labour Councillors who decided that she should be Leader, when Satvir Kaur resigned having brought the Council to its knees with her Labour councillors supporting her.

The public did not elect Keogh to his disastrous tenure, and what is in fact a dangerous tenure. 

It's the Labour Party and Cllr Fielker that has put him as Cabinet Member for Transport, and which is keeping him there. 

That is how undemocratic the Cabinet and Leader system is. It prioritises party over people. Other cities like Bristol and Sheffield have brought in a Modern Committee System, that priorities people over parties. Ward councillors have more of a say, instead of political parties. That is how democracy is supposed to work, but Labour don't want that. They didn't want it in Bristol or Sheffield, either.

Labour's Eamonn Keogh has caused chaos across the City, especially in Portswood. He has failed to listen to residents of Shirley and Freemantle over the 20mph signs, and to remove them.

Cllr Keogh has created chaos in the City Centre, and shown his incompetence at the basics, as reported by the Echo, Keogh couldn't even ensure spare parts were in stock to fix our roads, leading to even more delays.

So it is very worrying that Lorna Fielker lacks the authority as Leader to make a decision for the benefit of our City, to sack Eamonn Keogh from the Cabinet.

Surely she realises that she might salvage some credibility for the Council, which Labour has led to bankruptcy and a shameful reputation amongst local government officers in Hampshire.

Or perhaps it is too late for Labour and they are hanging on by their finger nails, losing by-election after by-election until their inevitable demise under a Labour Government.

There will be elections in May 2026, and the residents of Southampton might decide that it's time for Lorna Fielker, and her Labour failures, to go from the Council." 

 

We Listened to Portswood Residents Who Saw The Portswood Broadway Disaster Coming and Acted to Oppose It

 

Southampton Independents Letter in Daily Echo 13th February 2025

Labour pretended to listen, ... then Labour's Councillor Eamonn Keogh went ahead with it anyway!

Councillor Eamonn Keogh
Photo: Southampton City Council

Captain of chaos Councillor Keogh needs to go, Southampton people say. The Leader of the Council should sack him, we say.

The full text of Andrew Pope's letter that was printed in yesterday's Daily Echo is below.

We asked for people to stand up in 2022 and in 2023. as reported by the Echo then and in the letters we printed and volunteered to deliver. We contacted the residents associations, and businesses, too.

Portswood people need to stand for Council as Independent candidates, because the political parties let you down - Labour, Green, Tory, Lib Dem - they all put themselves first,  instead of the people of Southampton.

Once again, we will be looking for those people to stand in next year's Southampton City Council elections. And we need people to help contact residents in Portswood.

Get in touch if you want to do it. We will give you advice and support.

 

Former Independent Councillor Andrew Pope

"Disturbed but not surprised

I am disturbed, but not surprised to hear of the unfolding disaster at the Council's Portswood Broadway changes.

It was foreseen by residents and businesses that I spoke to back in 2022 and 2023, and reported by the Echo.

The Council has already tried to paper over the cracks and the out-of-control Cabinet Member for Transport, Labour Councillor Eamonn Keogh, is deaf to the dangers.

Keogh has already caused chaos across Shirley and in the City Centre, making promises to remove 20mph signs, but they are still there.

Keogh needs to be removed from his position by the Leader of the Council Councillor Lorna Fielker, but the talent pool within the Labour Group is very limited, if not non-existent.

The bankruptcy of the Council and crackpot policies in the City prove Labour's inadequacy.

Labour already lost one Portswood seat on the Council after our campaign with Portswood residents against their crazy proposals.

Labour lost the by-election in Shirley too, with residents unhappy about transport policies. I know because I listened to them on their doorsteps.

Do Labour want to lose more Council seats because of their greenie fanatics and ignorance of the vast majority of residents and businesses in the area?

If they do, they are going the right way about it.

Andrew Pope
Southampton Independents"

After Shirley and City Centre Chaos, ANOTHER Crazy Labour Council Road Scheme To Go Ahead - at Portswood Broadway

 

ANOTHER Crazy Highway Scheme By Labour

After the chaos caused by Labour's 20mph signs on Hill Lane and Shirley Road, and months of disruption in the City Centre for no benefit to residents, Labour's cycling fanatic Councillor Eamonn Keogh is pushing ahead with another crazy road scheme as Labour's Cabinet Member for Transport.

This time it's the hated Portswood Broadway scheme, going ahead for "a trial" in 2025.

And just like in Shirley, Keogh is going ahead with it against common sense and despite huge resistance and objections from local residents. More sham consultations mean residents are ignored.

Southampton Independents' Andrew Pope spent his own time as a concerned volunteer to properly listen to Portswood and Highfield residents, and told the Daily Echo what he had found - that the vast majority of residents were against this scheme. He also contacted local residents' associations and encouraged petitions against the proposals to be signed, and encouraged residents to stand for Council.

Via hundreds of leaflets and letters and doorstep conversations with residents and businesses, Andrew found that there was huge dissatisfaction with Keogh's chaotic plans. Andrew says:

Andrew Pope, speaking when a councillor
to BBC South Today

"After my campaign to expose Labour's mistakes on the Broadway scheme, Labour lost one of their Portswood Council seats to the Greens. It seems Labour want to lose more seats in this area, because they are not listening to local residents.

Labour's Transport Councillor Eamonn Keogh seems hell-bent on ruining any productivity on our roads, and his cycling fanaticism is ruining the journeys of the 89% of people who use the car or walk in our City. Cycling and buses should be encouraged but both are a tiny percentage of journeys in our City.

Cllr Keogh shouldn't be experimenting again in our City, as his previous experiments in Shirley on Hill Lane and Shirley Road, and in the City Centre, have both failed, and wasted a huge amount of public money - when the Council is broke. It was obvious that the experiments would not work, but the Labour Council went ahead anyway.

It's time the Leader of the Council Councillor Lorna Fielker removed him from his Transport role, for the sake of our City, the Council's finances, and City businesses and residents."

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Residents Demand End to Labour and Tory Councillors' 20mph Failure

 

Vigilantes Have Taken Steps
Because the 20mph Fantasy Has Failed

Over the last few years, Southampton motorists, cyclists, lorry drivers and pedestrians have been subjected to disruption and confusion by Southampton City Council.

Labour, Green Party and Conservative councillors have pushed for 20mph "limits" to be put in place. But it is difficult to find residents who wanted them.

Instead of improving road safety, the evidence of residents who live near them suggests that the 20mph signs have created confusion and actually increased danger through frustration.

The 20mph signs have been vandalised by vigilantes. The signs can't be called limits as according to residents and motorists, the vast majority of drivers seem to ignore them and there are little or no reports of any enforcement by the Police. The vandalism by the vigilantes shows how unpopular the signs are, and how out-of-touch these councillors are.

Andrew Pope stood as an Independent candidate in the recent Shirley by-election, and asked residents what issues were important to them. 

Andrew Pope on BBC South Today

Andrew says:

"Enough is enough! There is almost universal disapproval of the safety failures on Hill Lane. The top of Hill Lane, with its two roundabouts, a pelican crossing and two zebra crossings, and more, is already dangerous.

It must be revised and measures put in place that actually work. That's where money should be spent, not on daft schemes that don't work and which cause disruption and danger.

The 20mph signs on Hill Lane are actually creating confusion and danger, and this location is one of the last places this should happen.

What is incredible is how Southampton City Council and its Shirley Labour councillors thought this would be a good idea in the first place. Now there is one less Labour councillor, after the by-election. It's easy to see why they lost.

It should be obvious that it would not work. Residents have said it would not work. The original trials of 20mph signs in Maybush Triangle, where I was councillor, did not work. The signs remained up though. It was deemed "expensive" to take them down.

But the Council ignored that data and what sensible residents thought and councillors such as Councillor Eamonn Keogh, who is Labour Cabinet Member for Transport and Deputy Tory Leader Councillor Jeremy Moulton have carried on putting the 20mph signs up. I have challenged Cllr Moulton over this, and he came back with some figures from Edinburgh, of all places.

The Council claims to have "consulted" residents. But during the Shirley by-election, finding residents who said that they had been consulted proved impossible.

In hundreds of doorstep conversations, and requests in letters to residents about the issues that mattered to them, ZERO residents said that they had been consulted about the Hill Lane 20mph signs or the Shirley Road 20mph signs. It's a fantasyland by Labour and Tory councillors who seem to have been influenced by a tiny minority of "Green" lobbyists.

I have listened very carefully to residents, and come to the conclusion that these 20mph signs on Hill Lane and Shirley Road must be removed immediately before someone is injured or killed.

The Labour-run Council claimed that it was going to do so back in May, just before the Council elections, but five months later, it has failed to do it. Their abuse of election purdah should not have been allowed by Council officers. But they got away with it. And despite saying it would be done quickly, they still haven't done what they said. Labour lost hundreds of votes in Shirley in just five months and decisions like this played a part in that.

I am calling for these 20mph signs on Hill Lane and Shirley Road to be removed NOW, and for proper road safety measures to be put in place that work, where they are thought-through and proven. That's what residents and motorists want.

I know from my work as an interviewer on the Department of Transport's National Travel Survey that the vast majority of journeys are made by car or foot (89%), whether Labour, Tory or Green fanatic councillors like it or not. Cycling and bus journeys are a tiny proportion of journeys. Even when trains are included, it's still only 10% of trips.

In a democracy, the majority should win out, not a tiny minority of cycling lobbyists. It is well-known, including by officers of the Council, that Cllr Eamonn Keogh is a cycling fanatic. Being a councillor and Cabinet Member, he is supposed to put personal views aside in the interests of our City. But Keogh seems to think it's his role to put his own, minority, views first. He's wrong.

Cyclists, motorists and pedestrians should be protected by road safety schemes that actually work, not a fantasyland of putting up some signs and hoping, which seems to be the Council's current policy."

Southern Water - Worst with Southampton's Water

Southern Water Signs of Failure

Our community activists look out for problems in Southampton's communities.

They don't just keep Southampton City Council on their toes. Southampton Independents keep utility companies working for you.

Members of our Redbridge team twice spotted the same water leak over the last week. The sign in the photo above claimed that Southern Water were aware, and that the leak would be fixed by 13th December.

In Winter this will ice up

The photos were taken today (18th December). Obviously it still isn't fixed. A worker nearby told us that he had reported the problem to Southern Water again on Friday 15th December. Still it wasn't fixed.

A dangerous path

So Southampton Independents Redbridge campaigner Denise Wyatt and our Councillor Andrew Pope took these photos, and have followed up with Southern Water to ask them why it hasn't been fixed, and when it is going to be fixed.

Another dangerous path

The problem is especially dangerous as it has now created pools of water, pools of water and mud and wet paths. These paths are used by many members of the public every day, including by elderly people and by children.

School children and elderly people walk here

 And in water these long lengths of path will turn into ICE.

Elderly people walk here - ICE danger

Southampton Independents Councillor Andrew Pope said:                                                                                                                           

Councillor Andrew Pope

"This is a serious and urgent safety issue for Millbrook residents. 

The Water Regulator CCWater said in September this year that Southern Water were the worst performing water company for the FIFTH year running. So it is perhaps not surprising that they haven't fixed this problem on time. 

The leak is near a block for elderly residents. And next to a very well-used path on a main road in Millbrook. Southern Water have tried to blame Vodafone, so why did they put up the sign telling residents it would be fixed - and it hasn't.

They have apologised to me and said it will be fixed.

I will continue to pressure Southern Water and other utility companies to protect Millbrook residents, just like I did four years ago when Southern Electric lost the power to hundreds of homes in the area. I forced them into an apology and won compensation."

Denise Wyatt

Redbridge campaigner and Leader of Southampton Independents Denise Wyatt said:

"Southampton Independents was formed by local residents so that they can work together on the problems they face. 

Activists like Andrew and I help to solve problems like water leaks and power cuts. We help residents to have better and easier lives, despite the failures of Labour-run Southampton City Council and the Tory Government.

What issues are important to you where you live in Southampton?"

REMINDER: Southampton Roadworks AGAIN This Weekend

Redbridge Towers: The Gateway to Southampton

Redbridge Viaduct/Causeway will be CLOSED this weekend from 8pm on Saturday 11 November 2017 until 5am on Monday 13 November 2017.

These works are being done by Tory Hampshire County Council, and they have been AGREED by Labour Southampton City Council. Both councils were to blame for the chaos. Like Southampton residents say, Labour or Tory, same old story.

After the chaos last weekend in Western Southampton due to the Redbridge Causeway/Viaduct roadworks (reported by the Daily Echo here), we've been listening to what residents of Southampton said.

One letter from a Redbridge resident was in the Echo this week (see below). More complaints have followed in the Echo. And many more Redbridge and Southampton residents have been in touch.

Another Redbridge resident said:"Test Lane never been so busy with people trying to take a short cut to no where!"

A Maybush resident told us:"Cars were sat across the lights so cars couldn't move ,people were driving like idiots all because road signs were not in right places ,then they drove down and under-bridge to other side and still getting caught in traffic other side ,most of traffic was heading up Green Lane then keeping Romsey Road to a standstill".

Another Southampton resident said:"Trying to get out of Southampton on Sunday. It took me over an hour and a half to get onto the M27. A normal trip to Christchurch took me nearly two and a half hours. I don't mind traffic and I understand this is needed but it seemed everyone including myself didn't think there would be so much disruption."

Denise Wyatt

Leader of Southampton Independents Denise Wyatt, who is also a campaigner in Redbridge, said:

"Last weekend, not only Redbridge but all around Western Southampton was in chaos.

This CANNOT be allowed to happen again.

The City Council did not give adequate advanced warnings, and neither did Hampshire County Council.

Southampton Independents tried to let people know via our website and Facebook. But it isn't our job. We are just trying to help residents. Southampton Labour that is supposed to be "in charge" of Southampton City Council. And the Tories likewise in Hampshire.

Labour and the Tories need to be voted out in the next elections, if residents want better performance from the councils. 

Southampton Independents will be standing candidates for councillors in the May 2018 City Council elections. I will be one of them."

Councillor Andrew Pope

Southampton Independents Councillor for Redbridge, Andrew Pope, said:

"Residents were never asked whether they wanted these works, or when it would be wise to do them. And I have confirmed that only a couple of roads in Redbridge were notified about the works with a letter.

It's not good enough. 

As a ward councillor for the area, I should have been consulted. But I wasn't. I have challenged the councils why. And they think that sending a letter out is "consultation". IT ISN'T. Consultation means listening. THEY DIDN'T.

It is better to listen to residents, because they know the area. But neither Hampshire nor Southampton councils want to listen to residents. They just want to do things TO residents.

Following my challenges to officers of both councils to "up their game", I have been assured that improvements will occur for the second round of works this weekend.

We will see.

Tell us what your experiences have been.

Tell us how you think the councils can minimise disruption.

It is very sad that Labour Councillor Jacqui Rayment seeks in today's Echo to criticise members of the public such as Mr Sanders of Redbridge, instead of taking responsibility for her own failures as "transport boss" for Southampton City Council. 

And it is also very sad that despite being given all week, Tory County Councillor Rob Humby has failed to answer my questions and challenges to him as to why he has failed in a similar way to Councillor Rayment. 

I have therefore asked the Leader of Hampshire County Council to ensure that I get answers for Southampton residents.

Do you agree with supporters of Southampton Independents that if the disruption is not minimised, that both councillors Humby and Rayment should resign? Someone should be accountable, they have told us.

Labour and Tory councillors should be making sure disruption is minimised, not blaming each other. Labour or Tory, same old story gets us nowhere!"

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READER LETTER: Southampton weekend road closures are an almighty blunder

THE closure of the A35 on Saturday, November 4 at 8pm has been one almighty blunder by the highways agency and Southampton council.

I wish that Jacqui Rayment, Southampton councillor for transport, and members of the highways agency could have been at the Redbridge Roundabout to see for themselves what an absolute disgrace the closure was, not only for local residents but for those people trying to get home to Totton, Hythe and all points west of Redbridge.

There were no proper road signs telling drivers that the M271 was the correct route away from Redbridge to get back to Totton and all points west, and not to use Gover Road and Test lane as a detour.

Due to the fact that the future closures are going to take place between now and Christmas, one hopes that Southampton council and the highways agency get their act together so that we do not get a repeat performance during the next closures.

Roy Sanders

Redbridge