Southampton council apologises after hoardings block pavement

In February 2020, a fire ripped through Shirley Working Men’s Club on Victor Street, with what was remaining of the site demolished, to make way for 45 flats approved by the council.

More than four years later, the site of the former social club is fenced off from the public.

But now hoardings at the proposed housing development have begun to encroach on the pedestrian footpath.

Though the council has closed the footpath, the lack of pavement is forcing pedestrians to walk into the busy main road on Victor Street, around the back of Sainsbury’s – as well as being opposite Wordsworth Primary School.

Tony Weafer, member of community group Shirley and Freemantle Watch, told the Echo the situation was an ‘accident waiting to happen.’

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He said: “There are many elderly people – including those who require the aid of mobility scooters – who use this pavement to get to the shop or use the health clinic.

“It’s dangerous as they’re having to walk out into the road to get past the temporary barrier in the pavement and it looks like the hoarding could collapse at any moment, particularly with the strong winds we’ve been having.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for the council said: “Southampton City Council are aware of the leaning hoardings and have contacted the landowner’s agent to request that the hoardings be repaired.

“We understand that they are assessing the problem ahead of making repairs and securing their site.”

They added: “In the meantime we have closed the footway as a precaution until this issue is resolved and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”

Though the site on Victor Street was previously earmarked for 45 new flats to be built - including a part six-storey, part five-storey building - plans fell through in October 2023 after approved planning permission expired.