Southsea Coastal Scheme: Finishing touches to new Common footpath as 18 months of work are set to begin

A second layer of tarmac is today (October 17) being added to the path, which runs parallel with the Esplanade and behind the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, to raise its level to help prevent it from becoming flooded - as well as backfilling with topsoil.

This should then make it ready for use from Monday, October 21 when the Esplanade closes to allow for the next phase of works to begin.

As previously reported by The News, the Esplanade between the Blue Reef Aquarium and the Hovertravel terminal will be closed for around 18 months to allow for the latest stage of the Southsea Coastal Scheme to get underway.

During construction, Clarence Esplanade and the promenade and road will be closed and a diversion route will be in place for pedestrians and road users. Nearby businesses including the Blue Reef Aquarium, Hovertravel and Clarence Pier will remain open, but The Southsea Beach Club and Rowing Club will close. The Rowing Club has been relocated to a temporary building in Pier Road.

Portsmouth City Council Leader Cllr Steve Pitt said: "The temporary closure of this area is necessary for building essential sea defences to protect Portsmouth for the next 100 years.

"The coastal team has worked hard to ensure that access around the area is as smooth as possible and, in particular, putting measures in place at the Naval War Memorial.

"Looking forward, we've identified Serpentine Square as a great location for placing artwork along the seafront so that will be an exciting future project for local artists to get involved in."

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Once reopened, visitors to the section of seafront between Blue Reef Aquarium and Hovertravel can expect to see huge changes including:

• An 8m wide promenade in most areas which will match the look of the sea defences in front of Southsea Castle.
• A one-way road system (westbound) with a single carriageway and a reduction in speed limit from 30mph to 20mph.
• A 3m wide two-way cycle lane running alongside the promenade, segregated from carparking by a 2m buffer strip.
• Grade II listed memorials placed centrally along the promenade to create a 'memorial walk'.
• Coastal planted terraces, play areas, new lighting and seating.

Project Director Guy Mason said: "I'd like to thank the public for their patience as we work to improve the seafront area alongside building the sea defence.

"Looking at the completed areas around Long Curtain Moat and Southsea Castle, it's clear that we have vastly enhanced the features along the seafront and, as a result, seen increased visitors to the areas. We're looking forward to doing the same at this already imposing section of the seafront."

In December 2024, the coastal defences phase between the Pyramids and Speakers' Corner is scheduled to open and works are now underway to create sea defences at the top of the city at Ports Creek.

The Portsmouth City Council project is the largest local authority led flood defence scheme in the UK, worth £180m. The entire scheme is due for completion in early 2029.