Southampton's Itchen Bridge opened 46 years ago today

In the early 19th century, as the importance of Southampton as a major port developed, there became an increased need for a more direct route eastward.

In spite of determined opposition from the Northam Bridge Company, which recognised a serious threat to its monopoly of the time, the promoters of a bridge in Itchen gained an Act of Parliament in 1834.

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Unfortunately, they were compelled to abandon their original proposal for a swing bridge across the Itchen because the admiralty regarded this plan as a danger to navigation.

Instead, it was agreed to purchase a steam floating bridge, a new invention of the engineer, James Rendel.

In this way Southampton gained its first floating bridge, establishing a method of transport which continued in use until the 1970s.

The new bridge gained high praise when it made its first crossing of the river in 1836.

As areas to the east of Southampton gradually transformed from rural villages to thriving districts, the floating bridges formed a valuable link between the two shores.

However, long before the floating bridge’s end, the increased volume of traffic often caused congestion and delays.

Proposals for a fixed bridge were discussed time and time again until, finally, the dream became a reality on June 1, 1977.

As a horse-drawn carriage made its way across the previously untraveled tarmac, a new era for transport in the city was ushered in and an ambitious dream which spanned almost a century and a half was finally realised.

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The first vehicle to make the journey on the newly opened Itchen Bridge was an 18th-century landau drawn by a magnificent pair of greys with coachmen in period costume.

As the sun beat down on the £12m structure, Julie Corps, then-Miss Southampton, stepped out of the equipage to release 50 hydrogen-filled balloons into the sky.

The first person to officially drive across the bridge was the Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Joyce Pitter, who was accompanied by Councillor John Deacon, chairman of the city’s planning and transport committee.

The pair were followed by a busload of councillors and civic officials, shadowed by the city’s Silver Jubilee bus with school children and adults aboard.

The Daily Echo reported at the time: “Lord Maybray King recalled that he was one of the first people to use the floating bridges when they were brought back into service at the end of the Second World War.

“It’s a great day for this part of Southampton,” he said.

“”I am proud the City Council had the courage to make plans to go ahead.””

Although the opening was met with fanfare and processions, pedestrians were permitted to cross on foot the day before with Edith Park of Sholing being the first.

And ever since, Itchen Bridge has been an artery into the beating heart of Southampton and has played a major role in the development of the city. It’s been an iconic landmark since construction and is sure to be so for many more years to come.