Environment

Ongoing works at Havant Thicket
Picture: Habibur Rahman

Costs of reservoir soars to more than £800million - here's why

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

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
Hampshire country park sees a boost in visitor numbers
Maya George

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
Huge algae blooms in the lake have been cleared
Kelly Brown

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

Water vole on the River Meon. Picture Andy Reeves

Endangered water voles found to be thriving at Hampshire site

EMBARGOED TO 0001 THURSDAY JULY 2

Undated handout photo issued by South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) of glow-worm larvae which have been reintroduced to South Downs National Park. Glow-worms have been introduced to a new site to benefit from dark skies.

Glow-worms to be reintroduced to Hampshire

Dead fish have been found at Stoke Lake in Gosport with the Environment Agency believing it's down to a lack of oxygen due to the hot weather.

Dead fish in Gosport lake prompts Environment Agency visit

Your opinion matters, Lawrence Gosden, the CEO of @SouthernWater, wants your thoughts on its £1.5bn Clean Rivers and Seas Plan. Picture – supplied.

Vital £23.6m flood defences scheme is given the green light

Purified water at Budds Farm

Controversial plans for water recycling facility take a step forward

Hampshire HWRC recycling centre

Recycling centres across Hampshire close as temperatures soar

Playing fields off Allaway Avenue in Paulsgrove, Portsmouth

Clear-up operation begins as travellers leave Paulsgrove site

Young children give their thoughts on climate change with panel host Cllr Suzy Horton during the Ticking Clock event at the Kings Theatre

Children make creative plea to stop ticking clock of climate change

A male stag beetle

Stag beetle count is about to begin in Portsmouth and Hampshire

Stagecoach South, Service 18 bus in Portsmouth

Why there will be free bus travel in Portsmouth on one day this month

Hamble residents at the Royal Court of Justice for the Statutory Review Hearing. Image: LDRS

Village awaits quarry decision as they take their case to court

Bins in the Havant borough

Bin collections have 'returned to normal' after weeks of chaos

Residents protesting in Winchester against the Hamble quarry application. Image: LDR

Campaign continues as Quarry opponents take their case to court

Stoke Lake, Gosport

Flood defences work in Gosport to resume after £7.6m price hike

Purified water at Budds Farm

Controversial plans for water recycling facility take a step forward