Creek-ing towards completion

The work along Ports Creek is progressing really well and we are at roughly 80% full height embankment complete along its full 1.3km stretch. The image shows the section between Peronne Road footbridge and the Portsbridge roundabout car park, now almost complete . With just a small area below the bridge (awaiting SSE works to access the electrical cable) and another short stretch further east still to complete we are certainly on the final stretch.

Once the embankment is completed, we will add all the ‘finishing touches’, including the gravel foot paths, landscaping, new seating and information boards…

Next week, we will begin hydroseeding here, adding coastal wildflower seeds to the embankment. Hydroseeding will also take place around the gabions near the railway bridge at the eastern end. Once seeding is complete there, we will be able to open the Kingfisher tunnels – an exciting step, especially as Kingfishers have recently been spotted a lot by our site team enjoying the area, ready to ‘move in’.

What’s sapling?

More trees, more green, more wildlife

Work has now begun on planting the first small tree saplings along the embankment, on the side facing Foxes Forest: around 3,000 young trees have already gone in, with many more to follow in the weeks ahead.

The wood chip you can see surrounding the saplings has been recycled from the vegetation clearance, ensuring that every last bit of material we had to cut, excavate or break out is reused wherever possible.

In total, this phase will see a remarkable amount of new planting:

15 larger specimen trees (4.5m tall), including plum, ornamental cherry, and apple
6,984 native trees, such as field maple, common alder, and hazel
1,483 native shrubs, including sea buckthorn, dog rose, and sweet briar

This represents a much larger number of trees and shrubs than were removed, ensuring the embankment will not only be protected but also enriched with biodiversity, seasonal colour, and habitats for wildlife.

This will help to restore and enhance this area known for its green spaces whilst creating a more resilient landscape for future generations to enjoy!

Nice to see you!

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by our gazebo pop‑up at casemates café for the latest North Portsea roadshow last week.

It was great to meet so many of you, share updates, and hear your thoughts on the scheme. If you missed it, don’t worry, we will be out again on

Thursday, 18th December 2025, 10 am – 1 pm

at Southsea Library, Palmerston Rd, Southsea

in collaboration with the Southsea Coastal Scheme.

Come along to learn more about the scheme, ask questions, and see how these projects are working together to protect Portsmouth from flooding and enhance our coastline for generations to come.

From classroom to construction

Great opportunities for graduates

We were pleased to welcome Emmanuel Ndubuisi from North End to site today for a tour and a talk with Tom Lawrence, foreman at Knights Brown. The photo shows Emmanuel and Tom with the embankment works in the background.

Emmanuel graduated from the University of Portsmouth in September, having studied Architecture before completing an MA in Construction Project Management. After seeing the North Portsea Coastal Scheme first‑hand, he is keen to join Knights Brown and will be applying for their graduate scheme.

If you are in your final year of a Civil Engineering degree course, or looking for a placement (or know someone who is), now is the time to apply: