Heralded new coastal path closed after discovery of hidden electricity cable
Calls have been made to fix a closed section of the King Charles III England Coast Path near Havant, as work remains on hold following the discovery of a hidden electricity cable beneath the site.
The call for action comes from an anonymous resident, who submitted a report via the FixMyStreet website urging Hampshire County Council (HCC) to repair the walkway and restore access along the route in Langstone.
Work on the project has been suspended since late 2025 after engineers uncovered a substantial unmapped electricity cable beneath the site, which was not identified in existing records.
The restoration of the public access scheme is being delivered in partnership with Havant Borough Council, Natural England and Chichester Harbour Conservancy, and includes plans for a replacement footbridge to reinstate the original walking route.
Discussions are continuing with electricity network operator SSE to establish how construction can safely resume on site.
HCC officer say the footbridge remains the preferred option, with funding already in place through Natural England and Chichester Harbour Conservancy. However, an alternative inland diversion of the King Charles III England Coast Path is also being considered, subject to approval.
In the meantime, walkers are being directed to a signed diversion route, available via the National Trails website, while access through the affected section remains closed.
A Hampshire County Council spokesperson said: “We remain committed to working with partners to ensure safe and continuous coastal access along the national Coast Path and elsewhere, recognising that routes along a dynamic and naturally eroding coastline may need to adapt over time.”