Northern Road Bridge

The UK Transport Minister Susan Kramer has officially opened the new £12.62m Northern Road Bridge, a project which boosts transport links into Portsmouth.

The new bridge on the A397 will help ease traffic congestion into and out of the city, while ensuring the route can be freely used by several buses serving local communities.

In addition to this, the project improves access to Portsmouth and to its local shops, the hospital and police station at Cosham.

Speaking about the new bridge opening, Kramer said, "We know the importance of strong transport links to local communities and businesses. That is why we have provided £11m for this important scheme."

"The project improves access to Portsmouth and to its local shops, the hospital and police station at Cosham."

The bridge replaces the previous structure, which was built in 1927, and had been restricted to one lane of traffic over safety concerns.

Of the total cost of £12.62m, Department for Transport is funding £11.09m for the project.

In addition to Northern Road Bridge, the transport minister also officially opened the Tipner Park and Ride Interchange, which will help in regeneration and reducing congestion, with six buses running between the park and ride and city centre every hour.

The total cost for the Tipner Park and Ride Interchange is £28.19m with a Department for Transport contribution of £19.48m.

Image: Baroness Kramer at the Northern Road Bridge. Photo courtesy of GOV.UK/ Department for Transport.