A FAMILIAR city landmark, Northam Bridge can trace its roots as far back as the late 18th century when a wooden structure stood for nine decades.

It was replaced by a wrought-iron one, which in turn lasted for 65 years until that was superseded by the present concrete structure serving the city today.

Unlike nowadays, the bridge had not always been so busy with traffic as, according to the record books, back in June 1837 the total amount of traffic to pass over the former bridge in one week added up to 913 pedestrians, one four-horse carriage, 34 horse and carts, and nine sheep.

Just before the outbreak of the Second World War, the council in Southampton had decided to construct a new bridge to replace the second version.

A tender for its construction was accepted in the summer of 1939 and contractors had already moved in some of their equipment by the time war was declared.

The bridge suffered bomb damage during the war, resulting in extensive repairs and strengthening works being carried out before civic leaders put forward plans to the Ministry of Transport in 1948 to build a reinforced concrete structure.

As these pictures show, construction of the Northam Bridge was well under way when an Echo photographer visited the site over 60 in March 1953 and May 1954.

Built at the cost of £369,433 7s 6d, the new bridge, which was the largest of its kind in Europe and the first of this particular design in the country, was vital to the smooth flow of traffic towards Bitterne and all the new housing estates and developments beyond.

The bridge was officially opened a year-and-a-half later at 11am on Wednesday, October 20, 1954 by the then Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, the Duke of Wellington.