The proposals to close the Bitterne Walk-In centre will be a bitter blow to many who campaigned to keep it open.

It was a hot potato during the recent General Election when politicians campaigned to keep it open and traded accusations over who was providing the most support.

Supporters of the centre must have thought they had won the battle to keep it open last year when the combined might of residents and local politicians appeared to force local health chiefs to back away from a closure scheme. Even then the closure on the cards was only to be a trial for a six-month period.

This new proposals is for an outright closure with no going back it would seem.

The argument now for closure being put forward by the Southampton City Clinical Care Commission is that the funds to keep the centre open are needed elsewhere in the community to help support growing numbers of residents who suffer from ailments such as heart conditions, diabetes and dementia.

There will now begin another consultation that will run until the autumn. This time however the stakes are higher.

Whether politicians no longer facing an imminent election will rally again to the centre’s cause awaits to be seen