How’s it going?
Signposts, seating and steady progress
Work across Phase 5 continues to move forward, with big visual changes now taking shape along the coastline.
The newly completed embankment is getting greener by the day, you can really see the difference from the motorway, and the slipway near Portsbridge roundabout car park is almost finished.
Over by the eastern end, near the railway bridge, we have now installed the first wayfinding totem and new benches on the new viewing platform, helping bring the emerging coastal path to life.
The totem features our favourite resident, the Kingfisher, who is often seen particular in this area. We are also still hoping to reopen the small footbridge very soon, and will share an update as soon as we have a confirmed date.
The dredging work in the moat is now complete, and our much‑loved amphibious excavator has officially left the site after doing an excellent job. We now need to give the relocated reedbeds time to settle and the water quality time to naturally improve. Over the coming months, we will continue adding more plants and wildflowers around the area to support long‑term biodiversity.
From here, the focus now turns to laying paths, installing more handrails, seating and signage, planting additional trees and wildflowers, and completing the final section of embankment near the Peronne Road footbridge once SSE’s cable works are finished.
Overall, we remain on track for completion in summer 2026, and we cannot wait for everyone to enjoy the final result.
Community & engagement
A roaring cooperation
Knights Brown and North Portsea Coastal scheme are official sponsors
We are excited to share that the North Portsea Coastal Scheme, together with our contractor Knights Brown, will be sponsoring one of the sculptures in this year’s Pride of Portsmouth lion trail.
The trail will showcase 45 artist‑designed lions across the city as part of the Portsmouth100 celebrations, creating a free, creative and family‑friendly experience for residents and visitors.
Our sponsored lion is one of the official “Proud Lions”, helping to support local artists and bring colour, creativity and community spirit to Portsmouth later this year.
All sponsors are now selecting their top five designs, with final artist pairings to be confirmed in the coming months. We look forward to seeing our lion take shape and to sharing more with you as the design develops.
Portsmouth100
SSE upcoming work
Power cable work set to start
SSE have informed us they are now ready to begin essential cable works around Peronne Road bridge, which is a key step in allowing us to complete the final section of the new sea defence embankment. All materials for this area are ready to rock (and soil), and this progress supports our aim to finish construction by summer 2026.
The upcoming work will be undertaken by Clancy on behalf of SSE. The site is now being prepared with some fencing in the area on either side of the creek and initial drilling is planned to start following full mobilisation.
What residents can expect:
- A trench will need to be dug across Peronne Road later in the programme. SSE and their contractors will coordinate this to minimise disruption, but some temporary traffic management will be required.
- Ducting will be installed along the south moat path, which will require a short temporary closure.
- Parking suspensions already in place along Peronne Road will remain, and additional pedestrian arrangements may be introduced as needed.
- Works will take place on both sides of the creek from March 2026.
Some activity falls within the Hilsea Lines Scheduled Ancient Monument boundary, and archaeological monitoring will take place during excavations.
We will share more updates as the work commences, in the meantime if there are any questions, please contact
contact Clancy’s engagement team
Network Rail upcoming work
Full steam ahead for bridge repairs
Railway bridge upgrade underway
Network Rail have informed us of a major programme of refurbishment on the Ports Creek railway bridge, a structure dating back to 1897, which sits inside our current construction area. These essential works will help ensure the bridge can safely carry trains for many years to come.
Network Rail will be on site from Tuesday 3 March to Friday 31 July 2026, carrying out repair, strengthening and painting works on the bridge. This will involve the use of mobile machinery, power tools and lighting for much of the programme, resulting in some noise, light and vibration. Network Rail will work to minimise disruption wherever possible.
To safely complete these works, a short stretch of the footpath beneath the railway bridge on the northern side of the creek will be closed for the duration of the project. Warning signs will be placed in advance around the area.
Working hours will be 7:30am – 6:30pm Monday to Friday, with occasional weekend work between 8:00am – 4:00pm. There will also be a continuous period of day‑and‑night working for six consecutive days, from 1:00am Saturday 28 March to 1:00am Thursday 2 April 2026.
These works will not affect the planned reopening of the small footbridge next to the viaduct. All being well, with everything drying and curing as required, we are still aiming to reopen the footbridge within the next two weeks. We will update you as soon as we have a confirmed date.
For mor information and contact details:
