The Floating Bridge On 23rd November 1836, the Mayor opened the Itchen floating
bridge with much ceremony. Two years later, local historian Robert
Mudie wrote, "The Itchen Ferry is one of the neatest ... boat
passages in Europe, across which carriages ... and all manner of
wheeled vehicles are conducted without disturbing a buckle of their
harness. Foot passengers may regale themselves with fruits, pastry
... and beverages". It provided the missing link in the journey
between Southampton and Portsmouth and took only four minutes to
cross the river. In
1881 A second set of chains was laid across the river to allow two ferries to cross the river at the same time
[insert Floating bridge slide show here]
The floating bridge marked the end of Itchen Ferry and Woolston as
separate villages. Woolston soon expanded to take over its smaller
neighbour. In 1920, Southampton extended its boundaries to include
Itchen and Woolston, promising that it would buy the floating
bridge company and modernise the ferries. This purchase happened in
1934, making Southampton Corporation one of the few local
authorities to operate a ferry service.
THE WOOLSTON FERRY SONG & VIDEO
[insert video here}
The floating bridge was like a large barge, capable of carrying
several motor vehicles. It was powered by steam. Cables were laid
across the river bed and machinery on the bridge used the cables to
pull the bridge
across the Itchen. The Floating Bridge was eventually replaced with a
permanent road crossing which opened to traffic on the 1st June 1977,
it was
officially named "The Itchen Bridge" by HRH Princess
Alexandra on the 1st July.
Timeline of the Bridge
1796: Northam Bridge built by the
Northam Bridge Company
30 August 1833: Itchen Bridge
Company formed, with the intention of building a swing bridge across
the Itchen - but when the Admiralty objects (concerned about
obstruction to navigation on the river), an alternative plan for a
floating bridge is hatched
1834: Parliament passes an Act to
allow the building of the floating bridge
3 November 1835: First floating
bridge arrives in Southampton, ready to begin work shortly
23 November 1835: Floating bridge
opens to the public
4 March 1850: Bankruptcy forces
closure of the bridge
8 April 1852: Re-formed company
(now the Itchen Floating Bridge Company) restores the service
1934: Southampton Corporation buys
the Itchen Floating Bridge and its roads
1954: A new Northam Bridge opened
1959-60: Southampton Corporation
applies to Parliament for an Act to build a permanent bridge as a
replacement for the floating bridge
1972: Southampton City Council
decides to build a permanent bridge at the site of the floating
bridge
July 1973: Private Bill passed by
Parliament, allowing tolls to be charged for crossing the planned
Itchen Bridge
February 1974: Contract for
building the Itchen Bridge awarded to Kier Ltd
22 March 1974: Inauguration
ceremony
31 May 1977: Mrs Edith Park from
Sholing becomes the first member of the public to cross the bridge
when it's opened to pedestrians
31 May 1977: Chips becomes the
first dog to cross the Itchen Bridge. Escorted by his owner, Mrs
Grace, Chips raced an alsation across the new bridge. In a tactical
error, the alstation's owner stopped at the summit to enjoy the view
- allowing Chips to complete the journey from east to west and claim
his place in Southampton history
1 June 1977: Councillor Joyce
Pitter, Mayor of Southampton, formally opens the Itchen Bridge and
it is now open to traffic
11 June 1977: Itchen Floating
Bridge makes its final trip
12 June 1977: Bus services
introduce the Itchen Bridge into their timetables
13 July 1977: Princess Alexandra opens the Itchen Bridge
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