or . . . how government put birdlife before Southampton's future

SOUTHAMPTON businesses have been sold down the river by the government's shock Dibden Bay decision, it is feared.

Thousands of jobs across the region are today on the line following the Department of Transport decision to reject the plans for a £600 million container port in favour of protecting a few species of birds including curlew which use the site on Southampton Water.

Just 24 hours after the shock announcement it is understood that three major firms, employing hundreds of people, are preparing to quit Southampton.

It has also been revealed that other firms are turning their back on the city by urging importers to take their goods to rival port Felixstowe.

One leading city businessman said: "It is going to put the port of Southampton even deeper into the dark ages.

"It's absolutely short-sighted.''

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