Work on the fifth and final phase of the North Portsea Coastal Scheme is set to start in the first week of September along Ports Creek, the northern shore of Portsea Island.

The work will include 1.3 km of flood defences with a design consisting of a sloped earth embankment, which provides the required flood defence level, with rock armour towards the creek.

Construction company Knights Brown was appointed in August to carry out the work which is set to finish by the end of 2026. Knights Brown previously constructed the first and third phases, meaning they will have completed the majority of work on this valuable scheme.

Construction site boundaries will comprise of the area north of the Hilsea Lines moat. Visitors will still be able to access the woodlands known as Foxes Forest on the southern side of the moat.

The Portsbridge carpark near Portsbridge roundabout will be closed for the duration of the work.

The footbridge leading over the M27 from Peronne Road will be closed for a one-week period in October, to allow a temporary overpass for pedestrians to be constructed. The overpass will remain in place for the duration of the work, maintaining pedestrian access to the footbridge.

The footbridge adjacent to the railway line, further east along the creek, will be closed from November 2024 for a period of approximately 12 months (more information will be available when the detailed construction programme is finalised). Diversion routes will be signposted and updates will be available through signage, on social media and the website.

As this phase will regenerate an area famous for its green open spaces the focus will be on retaining the natural feel by planting trees, native scrubs and wildflowers, improving paths, and access to the coastal path along the waterfront.

New picnic benches, seating, play areas and viewing platforms along the coastal path route will create a more enjoyable environment.

The North Portsea Coastal Scheme will also protect the Hilsea Lines by providing a future proof flood defence system, ensuring that this nationally important historical asset will be available for visitors to enjoy for the decades ahead.

The project is funded by the Environment Agency and implemented by Coastal Partners on behalf of Portsmouth City Council.

Portsmouth City Council Leader, Cllr Steve Pitt said:

“We’re very pleased to be working collaboratively with Knights Brown on the final phase of the North Portsea Coastal Scheme. It’s an exciting time as we forge towards completing the final link in this vital £85.9million sea defence project, which is made possible thanks to funding by the Environment Agency.”

The scheme as a whole is one of the largest local authority-led coastal flood defence projects in the UK and is crucial for the protection of Portsmouth residents. The defences will safeguard more than 4,000 homes and almost 500 businesses. In total, it covers 8.4km of coastline from Tipner through to Milton. Most of the area is low-lying and many of the current coastal defences were approaching the end of their effective lives.

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