South Coast Metropole South Coast Metropole - King Sturge

King Sturge: South Coast Metrolpole 2008
Red Funnel car ferry
HSBC Southampton Airport
Traffic congestion in Southampton is one of
the greatest challenges facing the city, and will
lead to a measurable decline in the city’s future
prospects. The congestion on all roads leading
into and across Southampton at peak times is
reducing the attractiveness of the city as a place
to live and work, and the problem is accelerating.
Southampton has one of the worst rush hours
in the UK outside of London, and a traffic lights
system that is designed to control the movement of
traffic across the city. The problem is compounded
by a series of major developments under way and
planned in the centre, including London Road, the
IKEA store, the improvements to the rail network
and West Quay Phase III. It is inevitable that either
a comprehensive park and ride network or a roadpricing
scheme will need to be introduced if the city
centre is to continue to provide a sustainable retail
and employment base.
The success of Southampton as a destination
and home for cruise ships continues, servicing
a worldwide industry which is enjoying a huge
renaissance. Major operators Carnival (P&O),
Cunard and Princess have committed themselves
to Southampton until 2028, making the city the
busiest cruise port in Europe. A new £19 million
cruise terminal at Ocean Dock, opposite the former
Ocean Terminal, is expected to be completed in
2009/10, to process up to 4,000 passengers at
one time. One million passengers are expected to
pass through the port in 2009, and this in turn is
fuelling unprecedented demand by hotel operators
to develop new facilities in the city centre.
Queen Victoria
Prime yields
Offices % Industrial % Retail %
UK Prime 5.75 6 5
Southampton 6.25 6.25 5
Portsmouth 6.5 6.5 5.5
Bournemouth 6.5 6.5 5
Fareham 6.5 6.5 5.5
Source: King Sturge
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