Southampton and Portsmouth

A new species of insect has been found in Southampton.  Prokelisia marginata a saltmarsh leafhopper comes in two forms; long winged and short winged.  The insect has been spotted in large numbers around Southampton salt marshes and has now spread further in land. 

They originally come from North America but live in spartina grass which is often used for packaging.  This is how they are thought to have spread into Europe and now Southampton and Poole.  Residents have been reassured that these small insects are not a threat.

Although they can spread plant diseases as they hop from plant to plant the threat is not very high although we may see an increase in spiders as they are particularly fond of eating them.

There are a few things that you just can’t do without at Christmas time no matter how strapped for cash you are.  You need the food, drink, Christmas cards, Christmas lights and a tree.  That is unless you are Southampton City Council who have opted to not have a Christmas tree or Christmas lights this year.  The reason behind Southampton Council’s scrooge like antics is that the lights are apparently in need of repair which would cost around £35,000 something that Southampton Council believe is unjustifiable at this moment.  

Southampton shoppers and residents are apparently outraged that there is no Christmas tree or lights as part of the German Christmas Market in the Southampton high street.

Southampton Airport have introduced a new transport information service costing £50,000.  The service is the first of its kind in the UK and it provides travellers with live information about the state of nearby transportation routes and services.  This includes live updates on bus, ferry, rail and road networks in the south of England which allow new flight arrivals to plan the next stage of their trip.  This will be a major advantage for those travelling for business and recreational purposes, whether you are an air courier getting an internal Flybe flight or a holiday maker flying abroad.

The director of planning and development at the airport, David Lees, is quoted as saying; “Southampton airport has fantastic transport links, with the railway station next door, bus stops on our doorstep and the location of two major motorways within very close proximity.   This investment in the latest technology will provide our passengers with live information, making it easier than ever before to breeze through Southampton Airport.”