Northam Bridge

Northam Bridge is a concrete road bridge that spans the River Itchen, connecting Northam with Bitterne Manor and carrying traffic on dual carriageways in both directions. The structure supports steady vehicle flow across the waterway with its substantial concrete construction.

A wooden bridge originally stood here from 1799, replaced by an iron structure in 1889 that operated as a toll bridge until 1929. After that, Southampton Corporation took control and modernized the crossing.

The bridge stands as the first major prestressed concrete road bridge constructed in the United Kingdom, marking a milestone in British engineering development.

The bridge carries A3024 traffic with two continuous lanes per direction and serves daily commuters from the eastern suburbs. Access is straightforward since it is part of the main road network.

The bridge underwent substantial waterproofing renovations in 2015 as part of the national pinch-point programme to maintain its structural integrity.

Location: City of Southampton

Official opening: 1799

Length: 148 m

Longest Span: 32 m

Width: 13.5 m

Made from material: concrete

Part of: Zone 3 A road

GPS coordinates: 50.91500,-1.38600

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:55