THE latest vision for a £1m green transport scheme to transform the Itchen waterfront has been unveiled.

Work will begin on the boardwalk, which will run down the west bank of the river between Northam Bridge and Horseshoe Bridge, in June.

The five-year project will eventually mean a traffic-free link to the city centre, enabling thousands of people to walk or cycle to school and work.

It comes just days after grand plans to redevelop the Itchen waterfront were dealt a major blow.

Earlier this week, the firm behind a 550-home development on the nearby former Meridian TV site went into administration. It’s not known when, or if, the £100m plan for two 18- storey towers will go ahead.

However, Southampton City Council yesterday insisted its boardwalk project remained unaffected.

Set to open by the end of the year, it will have views of the estuary into Southampton Water as well as being an access route to the city centre.

Eventually it would link with a cycle route across Cobden Bridge and on as far as Riverside Park. Football fans would be able to walk directly along the new path from St Denys rail station to St Mary’s stadium.

The new link, with steps down to the shore, would also help to create a stunning circular river walk across the bridges and back to Riverside Park.