Residents, councillors and business owners have cut the ribbon on the revamped Castle Road, which aims to provide a “real hub of the community”.

One of Portsmouth’s oldest streets now features new pedestrianisation works, including a level paved surface, planters and trees.

The works, which began in October, have been completed following designs by local artist Pete Codling of the Castle Road Community Association (CRCA), with funding from Portsmouth City Council.

The new brick paving stretches from the junction off Hambrook Street down to Southsea Common, with a central pathway.

Cutting the ribbon, Councillor Steve Pitt, leader of the council, said it looks “fantastic” and praised the collaboration with residents and businesses, resulting in a project “that everyone is happy with and invested in”.

He said he supports pedestrianisation when it’s “right for the space”, stating that maintaining vehicular access for residents and deliveries is a “good compromise”, adding he “would love to see Guildhall Walk look like this”.

Ribbon cutting event to mark completion of Castle Road works in Southsea, Portsmouth on Monday 23rd March 2026

Pictured: Artist Pete Codling with Cllr Steve Pitt marking the completion by cutting the ribbon

Picture: Habibur Rahman — Ribbon cutting event to mark completion of Castle Road works in Southsea, Portsmouth on Monday 23rd March 2026 Pictured: Artist Pete Codling with Cllr Steve Pitt marking the completion by cutting the ribbon Picture: Habibur Rahman | National World Resell

placeholder image — Ribbon cutting event to mark completion of Castle Road works in Southsea, Portsmouth on Monday 23rd March 2026 Pictured: Artist Pete Codling with Cllr Steve Pitt marking the completion by cutting the ribbon Picture: Habibur Rahman | National World Resell

He welcomed a new space for residents to “chill, have something to eat and drink, visit the shops and host a market without shutting the road down every single time”.

CRCA chairman Steve Tyacke said he hopes it will become “a real hub for the community”.

He added it will change the road “for the better”, adding that since it finished it has made it easier for locals and visitors to socialise.

“We can come out and enjoy the space now, instead of dodging cars.”

Ribbon cutting event to mark completion of Castle Road works in Southsea, Portsmouth on Monday 23rd March 2026
Pictured: Cllr Steve Pitt with Chewie the dog
Picture: Habibur Rahman — Ribbon cutting event to mark completion of Castle Road works in Southsea, Portsmouth on Monday 23rd March 2026 Pictured: Cllr Steve Pitt with Chewie the dog Picture: Habibur Rahman | National World Resell

Avril Lewis, CRCA’s heritage director, said the road is “one of the oldest” on the island, with development beginning in the early 1800s in Croxton Town, the area now known as Southsea.

She welcomed how restaurants can have more tables and chairs outside, promoting a café culture.

Steve Brazier, CRCA secretary, said the café culture was “the vision”, serving as a place where “people can mix – not just for the people that live here, but for the people of Portsmouth and visitors to the city.

Local ward councillor Mark Jeffrey said the road “already looks great and it’s only just the beginning” adding the project could be a model for other roads in the city.

He said the works are long overdue, recounting a local election manifesto pledge to pedestrianise the road from 1979.