A £4m road scheme to improve the Itchen Bridge will take place later this year, according to council plans.

Southampton City Council and Balfour Beatty will soon apply for permits to start the maintenance project to carry out drainage works and resurfacing which were postponed last summer.

The dates, times, and traffic management measures are not currently available and will be confirmed in the coming months.

Publication of this information allows utilities companies and other organisations to coordinate any road works in the same area at the same time to minimise disruption.

This comes after Southampton City Council scrapped a scheduled eight-week closure of the Itchen Bridge last summer.

It is thought the work will be delivered with lane closures and stop-go measures during the day, with overnight work where the road would be completely shut to motor vehicles, avoiding a total closure of the bridge.

Speaking when the full closure of the bridge was postponed last year, taxi driver Perry McMillan said it was "absolutely delighting news".

"We were dreading a full closure as it was going to cause traffic chaos around the city.

"It would not only impact normal drivers but for us with our livelihood, it would really affect our trade."

READ MORE: Hedge End drivers warned as major road hit by works

Currently, the proposed delivery window, which will be part of the permit application, extends from July to November 2025.

This timeframe considers the new approach to traffic management, involving both night and day work over a longer period.

The Southampton International Boat Show, which takes place in September, has also been factored into the plans.

Councillor Eamonn Keogh, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "We appreciate that the Itchen Bridge Maintenance Project is a huge undertaking with significant potential for disruption, and we are continuing our commitment to transparency and keeping local people informed of significant milestones with this update.

"In changing our approach to traffic management during the works, we have listened to and responded to the feedback we’ve had from local people, businesses and communities.

"However, it is important to emphasise that while these dates and plans represent our current thinking at this time, they are still subject to change as new information becomes available or circumstances evolve, and we will continue to publish updates as further details are confirmed."