North Portsea Coastal Scheme Phase 5 – Ports Creek

Progress Update: North Portsea Coastal Scheme (September 2024 – September 2025)

Since September 2024, the North Portsea Coastal Scheme has made significant strides toward completing its final phase, reinforcing flood resilience across Portsmouth’s northern coastline.

Phase 5 – Ports Creek

Construction of Phase 5 began in the autumn of 2024 and is now well underway. This final stretch connects Anchorage Park to Tipner Lake, completing the 8.4 km of continuous defence line.
 

Recent progress includes:

• Installation of a rock revetment, using 14,000t of rock along the Ports Creek shoreline.

• Ongoing groundwork to raise footpaths and improve access routes.

• Coordination with ecological teams to protect sensitive habitats during construction.

• Preparations for final surfacing and landscaping, expected to begin in late 2025 / early 2026.
   

Public access along the southern side of Hilsea moat has remained open throughout to minimise disruption. The project team continues to liaise with local residents, businesses, and environmental groups to ensure transparency and community involvement.

Construction site boundaries are located north of the Hilsea Lines moat. Visitors are still able to access the woodlands known as Foxes Forest on the southern side of the moat.

There is a temporary footbridge leading over the M27 from Peronne Road. This overpass will remain in place for the duration of the work, allowing site traffic to move east to west, whilst 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.

Project Overview

This phase of the project aims to regenerate an area known for its green open spaces while retaining its natural feel by:

- Planting new trees
- Introducing more native shrubs and wildflowers
- Improving paths to and from the waterfront
- Installing new picnic benches and seating
- Creating play areas
- Adding viewing platforms along the coastal path

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 accessible for visitors to enjoy for many decades to come.

For regular updates, please visit:  https://northportseacoastalscheme.org.uk/news/