Seafront opening in time for Easter!
The Southsea Coastal Scheme will open its newest section of sea defence between Blue Reef Aquarium and the Hovertravel terminal on 2 April. Work here began on 21 October 2024 and has seen the area strengthened to have a 1-in-200-year protection from a flood event.
A particular highlight is the renamed ‘Centenary Place’ (formerly Serpentine Square) which has been transformed from an empty, disused space into a stunning social hub featuring a play area, seating and planting. Other enhancements include a 2-way cycle lane, wider promenade, granite surfacing around the Naval War Memorial, a larger beach, a central ‘memorial walk’ and more! The road here will now be one-way with a 20mph speed limit. Come on down to see for yourself.
Piling progress
We’re a third of the way through our piling work at Frontage 5 East (South Parade Pier to Speakers’ Corner) where we’re driving steel sheet piles into the beach to act as a support structure for the steps from the promenade to the beach. We hope to be finished the week after Easter. A reminder that this work will only take place between 0700 – 1900 from Monday to Friday.
Egg-cellent Easter
Our contractor VSBW hopped over to Queen Alexandra Hospital to donate some Easter eggs and ‘Snap’ cards to the wonderful children’s ward and hopefully spread some Easter cheer.
Auf wiedersehn and hooroo!
After more than six years, 267 weekly updates and countless conversations with the people of Portsmouth, this is the final Southsea Coastal Scheme update co‑written by Justine and Rena, who are both moving on from the scheme.
From the very start of construction, our German–Australian dream team has been a constant presence, never missing a weekly update since February 2021. Through sunshine and storms, lockdowns and live works, historic discoveries, design changes and major milestones, they’ve helped keep residents, colleagues and stakeholders informed and reassured.
Together, they’ve led communications for both the North Portsea and Southsea Coastal Schemes, bringing two of Portsmouth’s biggest sea defence projects closer to the people they protect. From exhibitions, school visits, events and roadshows to answering questions online and in person, they’ve always made time to listen, even when conversations were a little more challenging! Always human, always approachable, they brought fun to the job too.
Through thousands of updates, posts and conversations, Justine and Rena have helped demonstrate the thought, expertise and long‑term planning behind these schemes, and how they will help protect Portsmouth for generations to come.
On behalf of the project team, the council, and the many residents who’ve followed this journey week in, week out, thank you both. Portsmouth’s sea defences will always carry a little German precision and Australian good humour in its foundations! To our readers, don’t worry, the updates will continue.
