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Itchen Bridge Toll Charges
The Itchen Bridge is a tolled road crossing in Southampton. It links Woolston on the east bank of the River Itchen with the city’s centre.
The crossing was first opened in 1977 – and since then the bridge has gone on to play an important role in managing traffic flow into Southampton.
Unlike many UK bridges, the Itchen Bridge is operated entirely by a local authority. As a result, tolls are set and reviewed by Southampton City Council.
Itchen Bridge Toll Charges
Toll charges are based on vehicle height measured at the front axle, rather than weight or engine size.
Standard Toll Charges
| Vehicle class | Vehicle description | Height at first axle | Standard toll |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Motorcycles and three-wheeled vehicles | Any | Free |
| Class 2 | Cars, small vans, small 4x4s | Up to 1.33m | £1.20 |
| Class 3 | Large vans and large 4x4s | 1.33m – 2.39m | £1.60 |
| Class 4 | HGVs, buses, coaches, large vehicles | Over 2.39m | £40.00 |
Towed items such as trailers and caravans are treated as part of the vehicle, meaning only one toll is charged provided the vehicle is correctly equipped for towing.
Concessions and Discounts
Discounted tolls are available for certain users, provided payment is made using a SmartCities card.
Resident and Business Concessions
| Vehicle class | Concession type | Discounted toll |
|---|---|---|
| Class 2 | Southampton resident | 40p |
| Class 3 | Business concession | 60p |
| Class 4 | Business concession | £3.00 |
| Class 3 | Registered Southampton taxi | £1.20 |
| Any class | Disability concession | Free |
Non-residents driving cars, small vans, or small 4x4s will pay the full standard toll unless they qualify for another concession.
How to Pay the Itchen Bridge Toll
It is possible for drivers to pay the Itchen Bridge toll in a number of ways:
- Contactless debit or credit card at the toll booth
- Cash payment at the booth (coins only: 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2)
- SmartCities card, which allows prepaid travel and access to local discounts
Contactless payments are accepted at all toll booths. With a single reader handling both contactless cards and SmartCities cards.
It is important to note that change is not given when paying with cash.
Recent Toll Changes
In April 2025, tolls increased by 20p for cars and light vans paying without a SmartCities card.
The change followed a public consultation and was approved to support congestion management. The rise also was made in order to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the bridge.
Resident concessionary rates remained unchanged.
Why Is There a Toll on the Itchen Bridge?
The toll exists for two main reasons:
- It helps manage congestion on local roads in Woolston and the surrounding areas by discouraging unnecessary through-traffic.
- The toll helps cover the ongoing costs of maintaining, repairing, and operating the bridge.
What is a SmartCities Card?
The SmartCities card allows users to prepay for bridge crossings and access concessionary rates where eligible. It is free to renew a card.
Southampton City Council has warned drivers to be cautious of scams claiming SmartCities cards need paid renewal.
At the time of writing — the council will never ask for payment or send links requesting card renewal fees.