Natural England officially opened a new 35-mile (56 km) stretch of the King Charles III England Coast Path on 5 February 2026, creating a continuous coastal link between South Hayling in Hampshire and East Head in West Sussex. The latest section connects with the existing Portsmouth–South Hayling route, giving walkers improved access to nature reserves and the Chichester Harbour area.
The project, led by Natural England, includes a boardwalk at Southmoor Nature Reserve funded by Natural England (reported at £500,000) and constructed from recycled materials to improve access across restored saltmarsh. Natural England has said the boardwalk is intended to reach 400 metres when the final 100 metres are installed; please confirm completion of that final section from a construction update if you want to state the full length as finished.
Portsmouth City Council leaders have welcomed the wider coast path rollout. Cllr Peter Candlish, who commented when the Portsmouth–South Hayling section opened in November 2025, described the works as a ‘fantastic milestone’ for the city that improves access for residents and supports walking and sustainable travel. Natural England has also emphasised that the route includes ‘roll-back’ provisions that allow sections of the path to be moved inland as the coastline changes, helping to protect public access over time.
According to the Chichester Harbour Conservancy, the new section helps balance the needs of visitors with protection for sensitive wetlands in the RAMSAR/SSSI-designated area. The opening improves local access to coastal landscapes and links to nearby towns and urban sections of the path, reducing the need for car travel for some users.
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