Delight as Portsmouth’s iconic Sails of the South landmark is restored to its full glory

Delight has been expressed after Portsmouth’s iconic Sails of the South landmark was restored to its full glory in time for the city's centenary celebrations.

The distinctive tri-sail structure, which sits at the entrance to the city on the M275, was originally installed to enhance the arrival experience. While the fabric sail panels had reached the end of their 25-year design life, leading to the recent removal of some for safety reasons, the wider structure itself was designed to last 50 years.

The 43m (141ft) tensioned structure, was largely put in place on site at the end of the year 2000, with the 24 lights which illuminated it then switched on in March 2001. However vandalism and wear and tear has resulted in missing panels and years of no lighting, despite some repairs being carried out in 2024.

This project has replaced all sail panels and included structural checks and upgrades, including new lighting, to ensure the landmark continues to meet modern safety standards and fulfils its intended lifespan.

Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: “The Sails of the South are an iconic symbol of Portsmouth, welcoming people into our city. I’m delighted that this refurbishment is now complete, restoring the structure so it looks its best for the city's Portsmouth100 celebrations, and remains safe and resilient for many years to come.”

Specialist contractors played a key role in delivering the programme. Tensile Installations Ltd led on installing the new sail panels and carrying out structural refurbishment, while Cosmic Electronics Ltd delivered the new lighting system. Colas and Cable Connections Ltd supported electrical elements and structural monitoring, with Argo Engineering Solutions Ltd providing ongoing structural engineering support throughout.

Given the location in the central reservation of the M275, access presented a significant challenge. To minimise disruption while maintaining safety, an innovative traffic management approach was used. Chevron Traffic Management delivered the solution using Enhanced Mobile Carriageway Closure (EMCC), allowing traffic to be slowed for short periods rather than installing lane closures on the motorway.

This approach keeps traffic moving and buses on time, while creating a safe working environment for crews and has been supported by the council’s investment in live traffic data.

KL Systems Ltd supported this approach by developing a mobile app that utilised live traffic and bus position data. This provided the Chevron crews a visual "in-cab" view of when it was appropriate to run the EMCC whilst causing minimal disruption to traffic and public transport services.

HGP Architects Ltd, the original designers of the Sails of the South, also worked closely with the council throughout the refurbishment, continuing their long-standing involvement with the structure.