Sections of seafront roads in Portsmouth to reopen but concerns raised that parking will remain a 'disaster'

Amid an ongoing review of road use in Southsea, the council has reopened a section of one seafront road and is set to open part of another after they were closed on May 1 due to lockdown.

Part of the western end of Eastney Esplanade has been opened to allow access to Canoe Lake car park and a short section to the eastern end of Clarence Esplanade will reopen from July 4 to allow access to the Blue Reef aquarium.

It is planned this will also provide access to the overflow car park on the Common.

Councillor Lynne Stagg, the council's traffic and transportation boss, said: 'The temporary seafront road closure is an essential part of how we are managing safety along the seafront during the pandemic.

'We regularly review any changes we have made in the city and will make alterations, like adjusting the temporary road closures, based on the latest government guidance.'

As part of these changes the on-street parking spaces within these opened sections will also be available for use.

And the entrance to the D-Day Story car park has also been moved in preparation for the arrival of the new landing craft tank exhibit which will be sited next to the museum.

SEE ALSO: Two new pedestrian crossings to be implemented in Portsmouth

However, Eastney and Craneswater representative Cllr Luke Stubbs believed more was needed to be done. His online petition calling on both seafront roads in Southsea to be reopened has now hit more than 750 signatures.

He said: 'They have had to do this because of the removal of car parking spaces to put in two new pedestrian crossings. This shows that it has really not been thought through at all, it has been exceptionally badly handled.

'The parking situation has remained a disaster and we haven't even reached the peak time of year yet. It's a welcome concession but we are looking for more than this.'

It comes as two new pedestrian crossings are set to be installed along Eastern Parade.

To provide feedback on any of the recent changes to roads email [email protected].

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