Work to Begin on Itchen Bridge Maintenance Project This August

Southampton City Council, in partnership with highways contractor Balfour Beatty, has confirmed that vital maintenance works on the Itchen Bridge will begin on Monday 11 August 2025. The extensive project, expected to take around six months, is aimed at extending the lifespan of the structure and ensuring its continued safety and reliability for years to come.

The works will involve upgrading the drainage system, repairing bridge joints, restoring waterproofing, and resurfacing both the carriageway and footpaths. New road markings will also be applied as part of the final phase.

To maintain safety for both the workforce and the public, a temporary 20mph speed limit will be in place throughout the duration of the project. However, the council has pledged to keep the bridge open as much as possible, including during peak travel times, to limit disruption.

Weekday temporary traffic lights will be in operation during off-peak hours from 9:30am to 3:00pm, allowing crews to work on one side of the bridge at a time. In addition, there will be overnight closures from 8:00pm to 6:00am, though pedestrian access will be maintained via one footway and cyclists will still be permitted to cross.

To accommodate football fans, the council has confirmed that on weeknights when matches are held at St Mary’s Stadium, the bridge will remain open until 11:00pm.

Councillor Christie Lambert, Cabinet Member for Transport, said:

“The Itchen Bridge is a key link for local people and the communities in the east of the city, and we are pleased to be able to confirm the start date for these important maintenance works which will keep the bridge in good shape for years to come.

“We’ve listened to feedback from local people, businesses and communities and have come up with a traffic management plan that will limit the disruption of the works. However, some disruption at times is unavoidable, and I would like to thank residents in advance for their patience.”

Residents are encouraged to visit the Connecting Southampton website for the latest updates and to sign up for a dedicated project newsletter to stay informed throughout the course of the works.