Seaside promenade opens after coastal defence work

A seaside promenade is reopening after 17 months following the completion of part of a coastal protection scheme.

The area beside Southsea Common in Portsmouth was shut in October 2024 for work to widen the beach, raise land and upgrade infrastructure.

The section is part of the £185m Southsea Coastal Scheme, which will boost sea defences along a 4.5km (2.8-mile) stretch of coastline.

The rebuilt beach cafe, directly in front of the sea, is due to open in May.

As one of the UK's lowest-lying cities, Portsmouth is particularly vulnerable to flooding as sea levels rise.

More than 10,000 homes would be protected when the UK's largest local authority-led coastal defences project ends in early 2029, Portsmouth City Council said.

Project director Guy Mason said: "The Southsea Coastal Scheme has worked hard to be able to open the latest frontage ahead of time for the long weekend.

"I'd like to thank the public and local businesses for their patience as we worked to improve the seafront area alongside building the sea defence and look forward to increased visitors coming to the area as a result of these enhancements."

The reopened section, between Blue Reef Aquarium and the Hovertravel terminal, includes Portsmouth Naval Memorial, which no longer has steps due to the raising of the land.

New lighting and seating runs along the redesigned promenade, which connects a series of Grade II listed memorials.

The section also includes an adjoining cycleway and a one-way road system with seafront parking.

The sea defences incorporate 75,000 tonnes of rock, while a section of shingle beach has been preserved for the Southsea-Ryde hovercraft.

Southsea Coastal Scheme started in September 2020 to protect land between Old Portsmouth and Eastney.

The next section, between South Parade Pier and Speakers' Corner, is due to be completed by spring 2027, the council said.

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