Last minute preparations are underway before dazzling new promenade opens in Southsea
Last minute preparations are underway before the dazzling new promenade in front of Southsea Common reopens to the public after its 18-month closure.
Throughout this week the last of the bench areas are being installed, jet washing is being carried and the last of the work areas are being cleared so that the new-look prom and sea defences can be opened to the public on Thursday morning (April 2) in time for the four-day Easter bank holiday weekend.
The promenade between the Blue Reef Aquarium and the Hovertravel terminal has been given a major upgrade as part of the ongoing Southsea Coastal Scheme and has seen the area strengthened to have a 1-in-200-year protection from a flood event.
A particular highlight is the renamed two-tier '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.
Some of the enhancements in the newly opened area include:
- A one-way road system (westbound) with a single carriageway and a reduction in speed limit from 30mph to 20mph
- A 3m wide two-way cycle lane running alongside the promenade, segregated from carparking by a 2m buffer strip
- An 8m wide promenade in most areas
- Road raising has removed the need for steps around the Naval War Memorial, with new granite surroundings emphasising its historic significance
- Grade II listed memorials placed centrally along the promenade to create a 'memorial walk'
- Coastal planted terraces, play areas, new lighting and seating
- A larger, wider beach
- Two new pedestrian crossings at either end of the section
Project Manager Amy Bandrés Arbués said the team which has been working on were delighted the public will finally be able to see all of the completed promenade which links up with the section previously completed towards Southsea Castle.
She said: “We want to welcome you all down so you can see what we have achieved along this frontage. We started works back in October 2024 and we have been working solidly for the past 18 months to improve Portsmouth City Council’s sea defences.
“Some improvements that you can see on the way down are that we now have a one-way system going down the road - this now travels from east to westbound and there will be a 20mph speed limit.
“Alongside the road we have maintained some of the echelon and parallel parking and we have a black safety strip which allows you to get safely out of your car and traverse onto the new promenade.
“We have a two-way cycle lane here as well. This is a new introduction to the scheme there was never previously a cycle lane here, so we really hope all of the cyclists do enjoy it.
“The new amazing features that you can see when you walk along the promenade include the refurbished Grade II listed light columns and shelters, we have a whole suite of new lighting as well. We have water fountains, we have cycle racks, we have got lots and lots of new timber benches which all have the original memorial plaques placed on them.”
On top of this the memorials which were on the prom have all been restored and repositioned - including the popular Luna mini dinosaur who takes a pride of place near to the Naval War Memorial and two of the city’s iconic yellow shelters.
The shingle beach area has also been ‘recharged’ to increase its size, with large boulders put in place making it easier to maintain and help reduce the energy of the waves, and a step-free access created next to the Hovertravel terminal.
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."
Meanwhile, the temporary asphalt footpath across Southsea Common which runs behind the Naval War Memorial is being removed from April 7, with the remaining hoardings along the common being removed shortly afterwards.
The Southsea Coastal Scheme is currently working in the area between South Parade Pier and Speakers' Corner, due to be complete by spring 2027.
The Portsmouth City Council project is the largest local authority led flood defence scheme in the UK, worth £185m and covering 4.5km of seafront, with the entire Southsea Coastal Scheme due for completion in early 2029.
Key statistics for this area include:
- Volume of rock: 75,000t
- Granite setts in front of the Naval War Memorial: 16,000
- Main carriageway fill: 5000t recycled crushed concrete
- Number of precast units: 536
- Number of promenade slabs: 414
- Beach recharge: 61,000m3 of shingle dredged
- Tide pools: 20 ECONcrete pools and 118 rock munched pools