Portsmouth road closures: Why public notices matter, and how to find them

Have you ever discovered that a new development has been approved near your home and wished you had known about it sooner? Or found out about a road closure only after setting off on a journey?

Public notices exist precisely to prevent that – and if you know where to look, they can help you stay one step ahead. Here are some examples that have been posted recently:

Charlotte Street area closures

The Charlotte Street area of the city centre will see several phased closures next month for “kerbing, slab and bollard, resurfacing and lining works”, says a public notice published on August 17. Charlotte Street itself will shut from its junction with Cascades Approach to its junction with Commercial Road, as will Commercial Road from the Charlotte Street junction to the Marketway roundabout. The order covers all of the South Link Road, and Lake Road from the Charlotte Street junction to the Spicer Street junction. Landport View is also covered, from Charlotte Street to Toby Street, as is Eden Street.

The order lasts from September 1 to October 31 but not all the roads will be closed all the time as work will take place in phases. The order says signs will go up and letters will be sent out in advance. Diversions will be put in place.

In June a public notice revealed that “Portsmouth City Council proposes to introduce a road hump in the form of a raised table at the existing zebra crossing in Charlotte Street between its junction with Brewer Street and Landport View and to extend the existing raised table near Commercial Road under the Highways Act 1980.”

The road humps would be raised tables across the full width of the carriageway.

Arundel Street bus stop works

On Monday, August 24 Portsmouth City Council revealed it was going to issue an order that would see a stretch of Arundel Street and surrounding roads closed for about a month, so bus stop buildouts and planters can be put in. Starting on September 7, the order will see Arundel Street closed from its junction with Fratton to the junction with Murefield Road, and Clifton Street shut from the Arundel Street junction to the Coburg Street junction. Sandringham Road will be closed for about 10m from the Fratton Road junction, and

The order is due to last from September 7 to October 23, or sooner if the work is finished. The notice says: “Works will take place in sections as notified by signage and letters to residents in advance of works taking place.”

Diversions will be put in: Arundel Street drivers will be routed through Fratton Road, Lake Road, the Lake Road Roundabout, Holbrook Road, Arundel Street Roundabout, Arundel Street and Arundel Street - Fratton Road, Fratton Bridge Roundabout, Victoria Road North, Bradford Junction Roundabout, Holbrook Road.

Clifton Street motorists will be diverted via Fratton Road, Arundel Street and vice versa. Sandringham Road motorists will be sent via Fratton Road, Sandringham Lane and vice versa.

Pedestrian access will be maintained, and cyclists can either follow the vehicle diversion or dismount and walk their bike around the works.

Stubbington Avenue closure

On August 21, Portsmouth City Council revealed that it was going to grant an order that will see Stubbington Avenue in North End close to traffic on Friday, September 4, while telecommunications works take place in the road. The closure will be from the junction with London Road, and traffic will be diverted via London Road, Laburnum Grove, Emsworth Road and Drayton Road, Laburnum Grove, and London Road. Pedestrians will still be allowed through. The closure will be from 9.30am to 3.30pm, or earlier if the work is finished.

What are public notices?

Public notices are official announcements made by councils, local authorities, businesses and individuals to inform communities of proposals, decisions and changes that may affect everyday life.

They are not just bureaucratic paperwork – they are a legal safeguard, giving every member of the public a fair and timely opportunity to respond before a decision is finalised.

Where can you find them?

An easy place to find public notices is the Public Notice Portal – a free, fully searchable platform where you can look up notices by postcode, category or local authority.

You can also register for email alerts, choosing to receive updates daily, weekly or monthly, so relevant notices land directly in your inbox.

Notices also continue to appear in local newspapers, such as The News, both in print and online.

Who can post a notice – and how?

Notices on the portal are submitted by registered local news publishers on behalf of those who need them placed.

This could be a solicitor administering a will, a business applying for a licence, or a local council giving notice of a planning application or road closure.

How does the Public Notice Portal work?

Local news publishers including The News upload all the notices that appear in their printed newspaper titles to the portal, which displays nearly 14,000 live notices at any given time.

Why do public notices matter?

Public notices underpin local democracy. They ensure transparency and accountability, giving communities the chance to engage with decisions that might otherwise pass unnoticed – from a proposed housing development to a change in local licensing.

Without them, the power to shape your local area would rest entirely with the decision-makers, not the people most affected.

Types of public notice

The Public Notice Portal organises notices into eight categories.

Planning – applications for new buildings, extensions and changes of use. If a developer submits plans to build new homes in an area of Portsmouth, Waterlooville, Havant, Fareham or Gosport, you can search the Public Notice Portal by postcode to find the application and submit your comments before the deadline.

Traffic and roads – road closures, diversions, parking changes and speed limit alterations. For example, if you are planning a trip to the west country, check the portal for any planned closures or diversions on the M27 before you set off.

Alcohol and licensing – applications by pubs, restaurants, shops and event organisers to sell alcohol or hold licensable events. If a new venue in [LOCATION] is applying for a licence, you can find the notice on the portal and raise any concerns with the licensing authority within the stated timeframe.

Goods vehicle licensing, probate and trustee, contract and tender, statutory notices and other discretionary notices are also covered – making the portal a single, reliable destination for the full range of official public announcements.

To search for public notices in Portsmouth, see publicnoticeportal.uk/the-news