Why have I started this petition?

On the 16th June 2024, I attempted to jump from Itchen Bridge, with the hope that it would end my life. If it hadn't been for two incredible strangers who were driving by and pulled over, pulling me off the wall to safety, taking care of me and keeping me safe until emergency services arrived- I wouldn't be here to tell my story or create this petition.

Months went on and my mental health battle continued to the point that I found myself on the bridge again on January the 9th 2025. I wasn’t so fortunate this time, I jumped off and sustained a spinal cord injury which has changed my life forever. I am however more fortunate than the high volume of individuals who have tragically taken their lives on this bridge. 

I was devestated, when I began to research the bridge following my attempt, learning that since it's opening in 1977, there have been 200 alleged suicides. (There isn't a figure for the attempted suicides on it, which are just as serious and valid.)  

Every victim has their own story as to what led them to the bridge, I can emphasise with but cannot begin to imagine the intense mental pain of those who have attempted to jump and/or have been succesfull, and the negative affect it has had on their loved ones involved, they must've been absolutely devestated and so hurt hearing the news that their friend/family member has tried to jump off the 28 metres high construction (With the intent of ending their life), particularly if they were succesful in doing so. That's likely to cause permanent or long lasting mental damage and grief.

I am somebody who is incredibly passionate about mental health, particularly suicide. Therefore, when I learned about the immense dangers of the bridge, it ignited a spark and passion in me to do something about the safety measures on it and make a positive change to my local community (Southampton).

Currently, the 800m long, 200m high construction has no safety barriers, no CCTV and no security. It has limited help points and suicide prevention numbers on it. I am also not confident that these "Help points" work, as I actually pressed the help button when I was on the bridge in June and received no response. I think it is appalling that the bridge currently has no safety measures installed on it, especially considering it's high mortality rate and how long it has been open for. This is why I am calling for at a minimum, Southampton City Council to install Safety Barriers and CCTV on the bridge, to hopefully reduce or even put an end to the countless suicide attempts that happen on it. I also think regular checks on the help points should be done, to ensure they're working for those who find themselves on the bridge in crisis.

After speaking to strangers who are local and from a far, friends, and relating my own personal experiences- I’ve noticed that people specifically travel to Itchen Bridge with the intent of taking their lives due to its widely known lack of safety features. And the actions that they take on this bridge, can change the entire trajectory of their lives. 

So if you have gotten this far, thankyou for reading this and I urge you to please sign this petition to prevent any more unnecesary deaths or injury happening as a result of the bridge in the future. Change needs to happen. The bridge must be reviewed by Southampton City Council and made safer.

I also wrote a poem, aimed at Southampton City Council-urging them to take action and emphasising how dangerous and life-changing the bridge is. If you would like to read it I have left it below, It would mean the world to me if you could please share this petition and my poetry as much as possible, as the sooner we reach the target number of signatures, the better.

We will not be silenced. I will not be silenced and will keep advocating for this cause until something is done.

& for anybody struggling mentally right now… You ARE loved. You are NOT alone. 

                                      "Make Itchen Bridge safer"

A poem aimed at Southampton City Council, Written by Niamh Buckell

Southampton City Council this one's for you,

After all, you're responsible for the countless tragedies people have gone through.

You know what I'm referring to…

Your 800m long, 28 metres high construction,

Which is nothing but a site of self destruction

For those who haven't caught on, I'm referring to the Itchen Bridge- A structure responsible for the recorded 200 alleged suicides since it's opening in 1977.

Not to mention, the site is also responsible for countless attempted suicides on it too, 

that are  just as valid and concerning..

Hence why I'm writing this poem and article to you.

Take a moment to consider the mental pain that these suicide victims, now angels have been in,

Successful, or not, they shared the same intense desire to die, to jump in.

I urge you to think about the immense pain that the 200 angels loved ones feel,

All because you failed to put suicide preventative barriers in place,

I think it's time you make this bridge safer, I'm calling 

for you to take the wheel..

I almost lost my life on Itchen bridge too, hence what i'm asking you to do,

Add the preventative barriers, install CCTV, Possibly security and safety netting too. 

Itchen Bridge is ranked among the highest earning toll roads in this country,

So can you not put some of the income it generates, towards protecting your local community?

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the UK,

Your bridge currently contributes to that figure, does that make you feel okay?

I have met strangers from all over and have close friends, all who have a sad, often traumatic story related to the bridge. Do you not think that is strange?

Because I am personally heart broken and perplexed to how you've let this happen,

Hence why I'm asking, begging for you to make a change. 

You hold the piggy bank, it's up to you..

I’m personally urging you to re evaluate the safety of your bridge,

So the present, and future vulnerable people, and there loved ones,

Don't have to go  through what others and I have been through?

All because of something that when building, you failed to consider the safety of others in your plan...

But fear not it's not too late, if action is taken now future deaths (suicide or accidental)

can be prevented, so let's get to work, make Southampton safer...

I believe we can.