The boardwalk that connects Horseshoe Bridge in St Denys to Northam is to close  as far as Mount Pleasant Industrial Estate for emergency work to address erosion damage, for an estimated four weeks from January 10. 

 

 

Southampton City Council said that a section of the path’s surface has been "undermined by erosion which is not fully evident from above" and that "parts of the footpath are not currently safe for public use".

Erosion has been monitored over the winter. But this month, following unsettled weather and high tides, it was identified that erosion had accelerated.

"Access to the footpath will be closed from Horseshoe Bridge at St Denys, to Mount Pleasant Industrial Estate, Northam with no public access to the Boardwalk or foreshore during this closure. This closure will be in place for approximately 4 weeks. An advisory diversion route for both pedestrians and cyclists is in place," said the council in a statement.

"We are committed to keeping this popular waterside route open and have teams currently working on a plan to ensure that the route is opened as soon as possible, with appropriate measures in place to ensure that public safety is protected.

"We apologise for any inconvenience that this closure may cause, and thank you for your patience whilst a suitable solution is implemented."

The diversion will be via Empress Road.

The boardwalk forms part of National Cycle Route 23 and is a well-used route for both commuting cyclists and local residents. It opened in 2010.

Left: work on the boardwalk's construction in 2010.

 

Previously
Boardwalk linking St Denys with Northam opens
Video from 2011: How Boardwalk helps the community