Havant footbridge: Work will start on £13m scheme in autumn 2026
Work on replacing a crumbling footbridge over a railway line will finally take place this year - after a decades-long wait.
Calls have been made for years to improve the bridge that links the centre of Havant to the north of the town centre for years.
In 2010 residents were left disappointed that an £800,000 grant refused by Hampshire County Council due to cost-cutting measures, saying then that this had been on the cards “for the last 10- years” and that “nobody had wanted to take responsibility and fork out for it”.
Since then little progress has been made on the bridge, which was built just after the Second World War and has been an eyesore for years. It needs structural support to remain open at the moment.
But now, the county council has confirmed that work will start on the bridge later this year, as it has approved the work. It has promised that the new ridge will not just be smarter and safer, but will also offer more space to cyclists, wheelchair and mobility scooter users as well as those pushing prams and buggies, and less steep ramps.
Councillor Kirsty North, Hampshire County Council's cabinet lead for universal services, said: “This approval marks a vital investment in Havant’s infrastructure. The footbridge is an essential connection for the community, and replacing it with a safer, more accessible structure will support residents, businesses and visitors for many years to come. This project is about ensuring Havant has the modern facilities it needs to grow and thrive, and I’m pleased we can now move forward with delivery.”
The bridge will cost £12.8m, funded through a combination of Department for Transport grant funding, developer contributions, and £2.8 million from Havant Borough Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy fund.
Councillor Phil Munday, Leader of Havant Borough Borough Council, added: “This will be a great leap forward in the long-running history of getting a replacement bridge. This is a vital travel link for Havant town centre which strengthens movement between commercial, cultural and residential areas. The new bridge will assist in bringing together key destinations and encourage increased footfall, which is fundamental to supporting town centre vitality.
“We look forward to working with Hampshire County Council to improve the infrastructure for our residents and replacing this bridge will be a jewel in the town centre’s crown. The replacement bridge forms part of the borough’s Local Plan and Regeneration Strategy, specifically noted as a modern, more accessible structure which will shape our plans to attract investment and reinforce the town centre as a place to live, work and visit.”
Work is due to start in the autumn and could take up to a year. Some work will only be possible when trains are not running underneath.
A webpage has been set up to give information about the project - it can be seen here.