Portsmouth's North Stand upgrade is complete

Pompey have announced that crucial improvements to the roof, the structure’s cladding and beams have successfully been concluded.

The work began in April, with Cosham-based PMC Construction and Development Services overseeing the project.

It was deemed necessary, with the Blues facing the real possibility of having to close the upper sections of the aged structure if repairs were not carried out.

Meanwhile, the project – which was initially earmarked to start in the summer – was brought forward given the break in football following the coronavirus outbreak.

It mean’t that any disruption to fans attending games would be minimalised.

However, as Pompey prepare to welcome Colchester to Fratton Park on Tuesday night in the EFL Trophy – their first home game of the new season – supporters are still not permitted to attend as per government guidelines, with the match and others in the immediate future to be played behind closed doors.

The North Stand improvements follow similar work carried out to the South Stand last summer, when new floodlights were also installed.

It forms part of owners Tornante’s overall vision for the PO4 stadium, with the club granted planning permission for further redevelopment work, notably to the Milton End, by Portsmouth City Council last month.

In June, PMC managing director Steve Cripps told The News of the extent of the work that was needed to make the North Stand a safe environment.

He said: ‘Those that eventually use the North stand will definitely see it (the difference).

‘They won’t get wet, acoustically it’s better, it doesn’t rattle and the lighting in there has also changed.

‘Before it was a pretty dreary stand, especially at the back in the upper section. There were a lot of holes which the rain dripped through, cladding used to rattle and the speakers vibrated against the cladding.

‘From that point of view, it has completely changed and definitely improved. It’s a completely different stand now, it will be lighter, drier and safer.

‘The roof and cladding was past its sell-by date. All the bolts and fixings were really on their last legs and the steel was corroded. It had decayed where the rain was penetrating through, corroding the bolts.

‘When the cantilever section was added many years ago, they didn’t use galvanised bolts, which in turn corroded sections, so you are correcting mistakes from years ago.

‘Had this work not been carried on, they would not have been sat in the North stand this coming season.

‘It would have had to be massively reduced in capacity.’

Despite having planning permission, Pompey’s £6m Milton End redevelopment remains on hold for the foreseeable future.

Chief executive Mark Catlin has said work will not be carried out until agreement has been reached with those responsible for transport infrastructure around the ground.

Talks with Network Rail, Portsmouth City Council and central government over improving rail and road links have been ongoing since last year.