Southampton's Itchen Bridge to close for eight weeks this summer
Major work's being carried out including maintenance, resurfacing and the installation of safety features
Last updated 31st Jan 2024
Southampton City Council has said the Itchen Bridge will be closed for approximately eight weeks as it undertakes a significant programme of maintenance works.
The project will ensure that the bridge remains in good working order and will include drainage improvements, resurfacing and the installation of additional safety features.
Details of the works and detailed implementation programme are still being finalised and will be released in due course.
City council bosses say the length of time needed is so it can safely carry out the works.
Dates will be announced once the plans are confirmed however, a spokesperson from Southampton City Council replied to a comment made on 'X' saying the route would be closed between Monday 15 July to Friday 6 September.
Diversions for local drivers and buses will be confirmed in due course. People coming into the city centre from further afield will be encouraged to continue on the M27 to J5 or J2, or to use alternative methods of travel.
The Itchen Bridge will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists for the duration of the works, but it will be necessary to follow signed diversions around active work areas.
The Ring Road improvement works will have been completed and the temporary one-way system on the Ring Road brought to an end prior to the works starting on the Itchen Bridge.
Councillor Eamonn Keogh, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We fully appreciate the disruption that the closure of the Itchen Bridge to motor vehicles will cause and apologise for the inconvenience, however there is no other way to undertake this maintenance and it must be completed to ensure the health of the Itchen Bridge going forward.
“To mitigate what we can, we have chosen to undertake the majority of the works over the summer holiday when the bridge is not as busy as other times, and the weather is more likely to be favourable. We will also maintain pedestrian and cycle crossings, and we will be deploying multiple work teams to complete the works as quickly and safely as possible.”