South Hampshire

South Hampshire or Solent City [ [http://archive.dailyecho.co.uk/1999/11/8/88771.html Daily Echo, 8th November 1999] ] [ [http://www.fareham.gov.uk/crs/Executive/030804/reports-public/xpt-030804-r15-avi.pdf Fareham Borough Council] ] is a term used mainly to refer to the metropolitan area formed by the cities of Portsmouth and Southampton and their suburbs and commuter towns, in southern Hampshire, England. The area has population of around 1 million based on the 2001 census. The region may be subdivided into the Greater Southampton and Greater Portsmouth conurbations.

Places within the Southampton urban area include:
* Southampton
* Eastleigh
* Hedge End
* Totton and Eling
* Bishopstoke

Places within the Portsmouth urban area include:
* Portsmouth
* Gosport
* Fareham
* Havant
* Portchester
* Stubbington
* Waterlooville

Slightly further out there are many satellite towns that are not directly attached to Southampton or Portsmouth, but are nonetheless still heavily reliant on the 2 cities for employment and services.

Places within the wider South Hampshire commuter belt include:
* Winchester
* Romsey
* Lyndhurst
* Brockenhurst
* Hythe
* Fawley
* Emsworth
* Hayling Island
* Bishop's Waltham
* Clanfield and Cowplain--sprawling villages which run into Waterlooville

Arguably, the Isle of Wight, Bournemouth or Selsey Bill could also be included.

Because of the proximity of Southampton and Portsmouth, they are fierce rivals, but also have to share various resources, including local radio stations (BBC Radio Solent, also a local digital radio multiplex), and a telephone area code (023, although this is not contiguous as Fareham retains a separate number, and calls made between the cities are not charged at local rate). Moreover, the Isle of Wight shares the 'PO' postcode with Portsmouth.

References

ee also

*BBC Radio Solent