Warning to motorists that Portsmouth Naval Base delays could hit peak-time traffic

Next Monday work starts on upgrading Trafalgar Gate to improve traffic flow ahead of the increase in traffic generated by the arrival of the navy’s new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth next spring.

The gate will be closed to outbound base traffic resulting in more vehicles using Unicorn Gate, increasing traffic at peak times at the junction with Market Way, Queen Street and Unicorn Road.

Christina Young, the works project manager, said: ‘We have been working with the city council for several months to ensure that our works have minimal impact on traffic flow outside the naval base.

‘At worst we expect minor delays outside Unicorn Gate at peak times, but we will be monitoring the situation very closely, particularly in the first few weeks.’

The upgrade to Trafalgar Gate includes improvements to the roundabout and new guard huts and fencing. It will be closed to inbound traffic at weekends and overnight on weekdays from 5.30pm to 6am.

Unicorn Gate will be open 24 hours a day for the project, which is due to finish in March.