Langstone Bridge Major Refurbishment

We are developing plans to refurbish Langstone Bridge to keep it safe, reliable and fit for the future. The works will extend the bridge's life and help ensure it continues to serve the local community and economy.

Last update: July 2026

Scheme background

Langstone Bridge, built in 1955/56, is the sole road connection between Hayling Island and the mainland and is a critical transport link for the island’s 17,500 residents and businesses. It carries around 25,000 vehicles each day and provides access to essential mainland services, including healthcare and further education facilities.

The bridge also supports vital utility services such as water, gas, and electricity, and is key to the island’s tourism based economy.

Scheme proposal

The proposed refurbishment works are intended to extend the life of Langstone Bridge and improve its long-term resilience. Key elements of the scheme include:

  • Major concrete repairs to the bridge supports including replacement of corroded reinforcement
  • Installation of a cathodic protection system to prevent future corrosion of the reinforced concrete
  • Addition of external post-tensioning to strengthen the supports and improve structural resilience
  • Placement of a high strength concrete layer over the bridge to improve load distribution across the structure
  • Strengthening of the main beams using carbon fibre plates, providing additional structural capacity and resilience
  • Replacement of the road surfacing and waterproofing system, including footways
  • Refurbishment and repainting of the existing parapet railings
The complexity of these works means that extensive structural assessment, detailed design, and construction planning are currently underway to ensure the scheme can be delivered effectively and safely.
Key Considerations

As the sole access route to and from Hayling Island, the bridge requires particularly careful planning and coordination to ensure traffic can continue to flow safely throughout the works. In collaboration with the  design Consultant and Contractor, the most appropriate construction materials and least disruptive construction methodologies will be identified, with works sequenced to minimise disruption to bridge users and the local community.

The area surrounding the bridge is environmentally sensitive and is protected by a number of conservation designations, including the internationally important Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC), as well as the nationally significant Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). In addition, several local Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) are present, and the area provides habitat for overwintering birds. To enable the works to proceed, the necessary licences and consents will be obtained from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and the Environment Agency (EA).

Funding Arrangements

While the design for the refurbishment of Langstone Bridge is still being developed and the final cost has yet to be confirmed, the project is expected to require a multi-million pound investment. Hampshire County Council has been preparing for the works for several years and has already committed significant funding towards delivery.

To strengthen this investment, the Council is preparing a bid to the Department for Transport’s newly announced National Structures Fund. If successful, the additional funding would complement the Council’s existing commitment and help support the delivery of the bridge refurbishment programme.

Roadworks and Travel Advice

Visit Causeway one.network which is where the planned works are published and is an independent platform that allows real-time monitoring of all the UK’s roadworks and diversions.

 

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Contact us
Address
Universal Services
Hampshire County Council
The Castle
Winchester
SO23 8UD