A new stretch of the Southsea coastline will open to the public on 2 April 2026, marking the latest milestone for the Southsea Coastal Scheme in Portsmouth. This section, which runs between the Blue Reef Aquarium and the Hovertravel terminal, introduces significant upgrades designed to improve both flood protection and public space.
The transformation includes the newly named Centenary Place, formerly known as Serpentine Square. Once a disused area, it now serves as a social hub featuring a new play area, seating, and landscaping. The project has also delivered a wider promenade, a two-way cycle lane, a central memorial walk, and improved granite surfacing around the Naval War Memorial. Additionally, beach access has been expanded, while the road layout has been adjusted to one-way traffic with a 20mph speed limit.
The improvements are part of a larger £185 million initiative to protect more than 10,000 homes and 700 businesses from flooding. The Portsmouth City Council-led project, which is being delivered by the contractor VSBW, aims to provide defences capable of withstanding severe 1-in-200-year flood events for the next century.
The scheme has received recognition for its approach to blending engineering with local heritage, winning the inaugural Sir John Armitt Prize. Public support for the works has grown significantly, rising from 40% to over 80% as various sections of the project have been completed. With this latest opening, the communications team behind the project has issued its final weekly update, concluding six years of regular community engagement.
While this section is now ready for the public, the broader project remains underway. The entire scheme, which covers 4.5km of coastline from Old Portsmouth to Eastney, is expected to be completed in 2028.
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