Southsea Esplanade before sea defence works changed it forever - in pictures

On October 21, 2024, the Southsea Coastal Scheme began the next phase of work which was then to see the area in front of Southsea Common between Blue Reef Aquarium and the Hovertravel terminal closed to the public until April 2 2026.

A temporary path was created by the Coastal Partners team to the north of the Portsmouth Naval Memorial on the Common which has provided a route across the area while a huge transformation has been taking place on the other side of the barriers.

Gone is the ‘zig zag promenade’ - which every children in the city will have snaked along at some point or another - with the replacement prom now matching that created in front of Southsea Castle and at Long Curtain Moat.

Clarence Esplanade has also been narrowed and become westbound-only, except for a segregated cycleway which can be used to travel in either direction and is mostly separated from the road by parking spaces. It will also have a 20mph speed limit.

The road surface in front of the naval memorial has also been specially designed with 16,000 granite blocks so as to make the area a little bit special.

ALSO READ: Finishing touches put in place at new-look promenade in Southsea

The historical monuments and memorials on the Esplanade have also been repositioned, including the small Luna dinosaur sculpture, and new seating put in place with the iconic yellow shelters also refurbished. However whereas before the shelters sat just off the prom and right on the beach, they have been repositioned in the middle of the promenade.

A new two-level area has also been created called Centenary Place, which incorporates play equipment and a seating area, as well as space for entertainment and events with the finishing touches, including handrails and lanterns now being added. A new zebra crossing has also been put in place.

ALSO READ: New-look promenade opens in front of Southsea Common

Take a look below to travel back to 2024 to see what the area looked like, compared with how it is looking now (click here).