THE city council has confirmed how it intends to upgrade the Itchen Bridge, and what the £3.8m of funding will be spent on.

Last week, leaders at the Southampton authority announced the cash as part of its budget plans for the next financial year.

It said that some of the money will be used for drainage and surfacing work.

But, now they have confirmed that the bulk of the funding will go towards suicide prevention measures.

The authority added that council officers will now be carrying out work to explore "all the options" at the site.

Designs for the bridge's upgrade are set to be drawn up later this year.

Dr Debbie Chase, Director of Public Health at Southampton City Council, said: “Every suicide is an individual tragedy, impacting on friends, family, work colleagues and the local community.

"We work closely with our partners across the city through The Southampton Suicide Prevention Plan which aims to reduce the number of suicides in Southampton and ensure provision of support to those bereaved by it, focusing on but not limited to groups at high risk of taking their own life.”

  • A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a medical emergency. If you feel like you may be close to acting on suicidal thoughts or have seriously harmed yourself – or know someone who is -- call 999 or go to A&E directly. You can also call Samaritans any time day or night from any phone for free: 116 123.