Solent Transport works strategically with businesses, key stakeholders and other agencies to deliver improved transport infrastructure, networks and systems crucial to keeping the region moving and supporting sustainable economic growth.

The Solent Transport partnership comprises Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council and Isle of Wight Council, working together to make sure everyone benefits from transport planning and solutions in the area. The Partnership was originally established in 2007 between the three mainland authorities and the Isle of Wight Council joined in 2012.

Solent Transport undertakes a variety of activities supporting this agenda, including undertaking research (sometimes using the Solent Sub-Regional Transport Model, which we operate and maintain) and using this to develop transport policies and strategies across the Solent area. We also undertake or support bids for funding, support and deliver transport projects, and lobby and make the case for transport improvements across the Solent area to key stakeholders and decisionmakers such as central government, funding bodies, and major transport operators and authorities.

Solent Transport also works with Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH) to deliver the transport objectives of PUSH's plans to promote economic regeneration in the sub-region.

Solent Transport has developed two public-facing services, each with their own distinctive brand, which aim to improve travel around the Solent area.

	My Journey, a one stop shop for all travel information about different travel choices available to the public for journeys in Southampton, Portsmouth and Hampshire
	Solent Go, a multi-operator public transport smartcard/ mobile app, allowing seamless journeys across the Solent area by bus and ferry.

• Meet the Team

  

  Conrad Haigh

  Solent Transport Manager

  Lead for strategic transport matters in support of economic growth in South Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, including the development of appropriate transport strategies and schemes.

  

  Richard Pemberton

  Principal Transport Planner

   

  At Solent Transport, Richard has a key transport strategy and policy role including managing the Sub Regional Transport Model.

  

  Keith Willcox

  Assistant Director for Transport, Hampshire County Council

  Lead officer for Hampshire County Council and also the lead from Solent Transport for the Solent LEP. As part of the Senior Management Group he provides overall direction for the business activities and supports the Chairman.

  

  Dominic McGrath

  Strategic Transport Manager
  Hampshire County Council

  Responsible for the development of transport policies and schemes across Hampshire, Dominic has extensive experience in the transport planning field. He is a Board member of the Transport Planning Society.

   

  

  Pete Boustred

  Strategic Transport Service Manager
  Southampton City Council

  Responsible for the delivery of Southampton's transport services, including the Integrated Transport Programme, the development of Local Transport Plan policies and working with key partner authorities and stakeholders to maximise opportunities for investment in the city's transport system.

  

  Pam Turton

  Assistant Director for Transport, Environment and Business Support

  Portsmouth City Council

  Responsible for delivery of transport services at Portsmouth City Council, including transport policy and planning, active travel, road safety, public transport and network management.

   

   

• Governance

  Good governance is key to the success of the Solent Transport partnership.

  The Solent Transport Joint Committee is the key decision making meeting. The Joint Committee is made up of Executive Members from the four constituent Solent Transport authorities, each with one vote. The meeting is also attended on a non voting basis by a range of Solent Transport’s partners, including the District Councils, Department for Transport, Highways England, Network Rail and public transport operators.

  

  Cllr Ian Ward - Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport, Isle of Wight Council.

  Chair of Joint Committee

  

  Cllr Lynne Stagg - Cabinet Member for Traffic and Transportation, Portsmouth City Council.

  

  Cllr Rob Humby - Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Hampshire County Council.

  

  Cllr Steve Leggett - Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Southampton City Council

  Agendas, minutes and reports for the Joint Committee meetings are available at the following links:

  • Joint Committee meeting 4th March 2021
  • Joint Committee meeting 5th October 2020
  • Joint Committee meeting 29th June 2020
  • Meetings from January 2018 to 2019
  • Meetings from March 2014 to December 2017
  • Meetings from January 2010 to February 2014
  • Meetings from October 2007 to January 2010

  Isle of Wight Council provide democratic services support to the Joint Committee at present.  The calendar of meeting dates for this year is available at this link. 

   

  Solent Transport's Senior Management Board provides strategic direction to the Partnership and is attended by senior officers from the four constituent authorities. Solent Transport also holds regular Strategy Working Group meetings with key external stakeholders.

  Solent Transport publishes an annual business plan.  The current 2020/21 business plan can be viewed here.

   Previous year's business plans:

  • 2018/19
  • 2017/18
  • 2013 to 2015

• Our Partners

  In order to improve transport across the area, Solent Transport works with a range of key partners:

  • Bluestar
  • Department for Transport
  • First Hampshire
  • Gosport Ferry Ltd
  • Hampshire Chamber of Commerce
  • Highways England
  • Hovertravel
  • Network Rail
  • Partnership for South Hampshire (PfSH)
  • Red Funnel
  • Solent Local Enterprise Partnership
  • South Hampshire Bus Operators' Association
  • South Western Railway
  • Southern Vectis
  • Stagecoach South
  • Unilink
  • Blue Funnel Ferries
  • Wightlink Ltd

• History

  Transport for South Hampshire (TfSH), the predecessor to Solent Transport, was set up in 2007 by the three highway authorities in the South Hampshire sub-region: Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council. This followed earlier work carried out by the voluntary Solent Travel Partnership, to plan transport improvements for the South Hampshire sub-region.

  In March 2013 Isle of Wight Council joined the Transport for South Hampshire partnership,which assumed the name of Transport for South Hampshire and Isle of Wight.  An archive of studies, reports and information prepared by TfSH between 2007 and 2014 is available at our archive page. 

  In June 2014 Transport for South Hampshire and Isle of Wight was renamed and rebranded to become Solent Transport. Any residual references to TfSH on these pages should be taken to refer to the activities of Solent Transport prior June 2014.

  The establishment and operation of the partnership are governed by a legal agreement. The agreement was considered and agreed by the Joint Committee on 16 October 2007 and was approved and sealed by the three constituent authorities (at the time) of Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils. Please note that some of the working groups detailed in the legal agreement have changed.

  The agreement is available in PDF format.