Environment

A preview of Ports Creek in Hilsea, Portsmouth, on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, as a section of the footpath is being planned to be opened by the October Half Term. Picture: Sarah Standing (201026-327)

Large parts of Ports Creek and Hilsea Lines set to reopen - when

The water quality problem in Lee-on-the-Solent has been resolved, after people were were urged to boil it before consumption.

Water quality issue resolved with no bacteria detected

Portsmouth Water has issued a warning to residents in Lee-on-the-Solent that bacteria has been discovered in the supply.

Water quality warning issued after bacteria found in the supply

View towards South Parade Pier looking west

Residents invited to view plans for next phase of sea defences

Devils Dyke. Picture: Jamie Fielding

Thirteen spookiest spots in the South Downs this Halloween

Chris Packham in the People's Emergency Briefing film

Councillors back climate change documentary

Artist impression issued by University College London of Invictibellatrix amberina.

New dinosaur species found on Isle of Wight

Treadgoldfish Sculpture at Queen Street Portsea, Portsmouth is being emptied of the thousands of plastic bottles for recycling on Wednesday 7th October 2026

Pictured: Artist Pete Codling with the Treadgoldfish

Picture: Habibur Rahman

Treadgoldfish returns to Portsea roots

Ongoing works at Havant Thicket

Councillors unanimously pass no confidence vote in Southern Water

MV Carmel in Tipner Lake. Picture: Dave Fortey

MV Carmel cargo coaster removed from Tipner Lake

As part of the improvements, Portsmouth Water and Cappagh replaced sections of older pipework to help prevent leaks and bursts.

More than three kilometres of water network improvements

Hampshire recycling centre

Council explores AI phone bookings for Hampshire's recycling centres

Booking a tip-run in Hampshire

"I booked a visit to a Hampshire tip, and this is what I found"

The entrance to The Oaks Crematorium in Havant

The Oaks Crematorium in Havant receives historic Green Flag award

Changes are afoot at Hampshire's recycling centres

Calls to end to online-only booking system for waste recycling centres

Ongoing works at Havant Thicket
Picture: Habibur Rahman

Costs of reservoir soars to more than £800million - here's why
Increased funding would expand the Havant Thicket Reservoir to support water supplies for over half a million people
Kelly Brown

Preview of foxes being created for a sculpture trail along Foxes Forest in Portsmouth

Sneak preview of new foxes being created for a new trail in the city

Bob Taylor, CEO, Portsmouth Water and Dame Angela Eagle, the Environment Secretary.

Portsmouth Water named as 'top' water company by watchdog

National Trust Slindon Estate Downes Barn

Portsmouth Water celebrates success of environmental projects

Former Southern Water CEO Matthew Wright arrives at Bromley Magistrates' Court, south-east London, where he is charged with conspiracy to defraud authorities over water quality tests. Picture date: Friday September 11, 2026. PA Photo. Mr Wright has been accused alongside three others - Philip Barker, Clive Massey and Mark Gregory - of conspiring to defraud the Environment Agency (EA) and water regulator Ofwat by manipulating the self-monitoring regime at water treatment works to avoid failing environmental checks. Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

Ex-Southern Water boss in court accused of conspiracy to defraud

Ongoing works at Havant Thicket

Portsmouth Water raises concerns over Havant Thicket Reservoir plans

Bursledon Windmill will be producing flour once again after a vital National Lottery grant was secured.

'Treasured' windmill to grind flour once again as grant secures site

Green grass returning to Canoe Lake

Green shoots finally return to Southsea after downpours of rain

Hayling Billy Line, Hayling Island

Work to improve Hayling Billy Trail can go ahead - start date

It is a great shame that many of the bathing waters in the Portsmouth area are polluted - and not sensible to swim in.The Environment Agency has changed the classification of Southsea East and Eastney bathing sites from “sufficient” and “excellent”, to “poor” and “good” respectively for the 2024 bathing season. Possible causes of declining water quality include Southern Water’s sewage outfalls, contaminated groundwater, the council’s coastal defence work or possible leaks from the South Parade Pier. Signs in the area warn against swimming. (Photo courtesy of andrei310 - stock.adobe.com)

Southern Water tackles sewage discharges in Portsmouth

Undated handout photo issued by South Downs National Park of a Turtle Dove at RSPB Snettisham in Norfolk. Conservationists have released 30 turtle doves in the South Downs National Park in a bid to help the species which is on the brink of extinction in the UK to recover. The bird, famous for its place in the Twelve Days of Christmas Carol and which has inspired writers such as Shakespeare and Annie Lennox, is classified as on the Birds of Conservation Concern's red list and has been the country's fastest declining bird species. Issue date: Issue date: Monday September 7, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Gary Roberts/South Downs National Park/PA Wire

Turtle doves released into Hampshire

Bob Taylor and Ruari Maybank from Portsmouth Water, Dame Angela Eagle,
Howard Sanger from Portsmouth Water and Geraint Lloyd from Future Water at the
Havant Thicket Reservoir site.

Environment secretary gets tour of Havant Thicket Reservoir
First major new reservoir to be built in UK in 30 years making ‘excellent progress’
Joe Williams

Alice Holt

Relax in the magical treescape of the South Downs this autumn

Hayling Billy Line, Hayling Island

£500,000 worth of improvements on the cards for Hayling Billy Trail

Flytipping in and around Buckland, Portsmouth
Pictured is: Hanway Road, Buckland.

Picture: Sarah Standing (250826-5417)

CCTV cameras installed to catch fly-tippers in Portsmouth

Itchen Valley Country Park. Photo: LDRS, Maya George

Visitor boom after £3.3m country park makeover

Popular open space to be closed for three months for drainage works

Raingardens are being installed in Serpentine Road

Next phase of scheme to cut sewer overflows approved as costs double

The mess left by travellers at Park Lane recreation ground, Fareham. Photo: Cllr Simon Martin

Leader slams ‘trail of destruction’ after travellers pitch up

Holly Hill Woodland Park

Major restoration project planned for popular park

Changes are afoot at Hampshire's recycling centres

Hampshire waste deal could be extended to 2036 as details stay secret

Titchfield's North Scrape has completely dried out due to extreme weather. Avian Botulism has spread.

'Extreme' heat dries up nature reserve as Avian Botulism spreads

Water by the Ship Inn in Langstone on August 8, 2026

Southern Water says brown sea water and strange growths 'not sewage'

Emmerson Transport Ltd in Ackworth Road, Hilsea.

Family-run business 'delighted' to have suspension notice lifted

New sea defences between South Parade Pier and Speakers' Corner in Southsea.

When will building work on Portsmouth's sea defences be finished?

Gorse Fire at Headon Warren, West Wight

Plea for help after major blaze caused by a campfire

Canoe lake has been cleaned up on Thursday 30th July 2026
Picture: Habibur Rahman

Canoe Lake dazzles after clear up of ugly algae from popular spot

A Small Tortoiseshell butterfly in the South Downs National Park

Hampshire beauty spot will help butterflies to flourish

Emmerson Transport Ltd in Ackworth Road, Hilsea.

Family-run Portsmouth businesses ordered to stop crushing waste

Hindhead Tunnel

The 15th anniversary of the Hindhead Tunnel

Sam' Sunflower field is due to open on the weekend of 25th July 2026
Pictured:Owner Sam Wilson and his dog Piper
Picture: Habibur Rahman

Beautiful blooms return as Sam's Sunflower fields open this weekend

Southern Water says the measures will cut down on the number of sewage discharges. (Photo courtesy of andrei310 - stock.adobe.com)

Ex-Southern Water boss charged over 'plan to manipulate water tests'

BUSINESS ROADSHOWS: Solent Freeport is hosting five regional roadshows in the autumn to find out what help and support the region’s businesses need and to hear about growth ambitions

Portsmouth carbon emissions fall by more than half since 2005

Southsea sea defences being created near South Parade Pier
Picture: Habibur Rahman

Steady progress continues during works to create new sea defences

A criminal waste dumping operation was exposed after one of the offenders unknowingly filmed 750 tonnes of rubbish being tossed in Hampshire on his own dashcam. The footage, recorded by lorry driver Peter Elliott, 64, led to the prosecution and sentencing of seven men for the unlawful disposal and burial of hundreds of tonnes of controlled waste. A convoy of lorries dumped around 200 tonnes of shredded household and commercial waste at Kingsclere Lime Quarry in Hampshire on July 31, 2019

Crooks' own dashcam catches them dumping tonnes of waste in Hampshire

A section of the Promenade will be closed for three weeks due to SailGP event.

Popular walking route closed off for three weeks for sailing event

The hosepipe ban is now in place

Southern Water announces hosepipe ban for Hampshire and Isle of Wight

Household Waste Recycling Centre

Tips sticking to normal opening hours despite latest hot weather spell

Clear up operation underway at Canoe Lane which has been filled with algae blooms

Canoe Lake clear up underway after 'explosion' of algae

Thousands of solar panels have been installed at Nats in Swanwick.

Air traffic control centre takes major step towards carbon neutrality