Weekly update – 17 March 2023
Southsea Coastal Scheme makes a splash
The first phase of the £160M Southsea Coastal Scheme at Portsmouth’s historic Long Curtain Moat was officially opened on 15 March by the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Cllr Hugh Mason. Construction of the new sea defences began in September 2020 in the area between Portsmouth’s iconic Square Tower and Clarence Pier.
Highlights of the reopened area include: A new seawall built with Purbeck limestone and granite units; unearthed original historic walls on display for visitors to admire; a higher and wider promenade; 18 tide pools; two new bridges; enhanced lighting; planting beds; new seating – some with lights installed; and renewal of the Clarence Pier carpark.
Meet and greet…Sophie
This week we welcomed Sophie as our new Community Engagement Officer.
Sophie has a varied background in property, youth support services (employment, education and training engagement), customer service and entertainment. She’ll be the new face to welcome visitors at our Pier Road project information centre, which will be open next week on Wednesday 22 March and Thursday 23 March from 9am to 1pm.
Auf Wiedersehen Merle
Our work experience student, Merle, has headed back to her teaching studies in Germany after an eventful month with our busy communications team.
Merle worked at our highly successful exhibition, went on site visits and attended meetings. But the highlight would have to be meeting the Lord Mayor twice, and having the honour of handing him the ‘gold scissors’ to cut the ribbon at the official opening of our first frontage at Long Curtain Moat!
Terrace units taking shape
Work continues at pace around Southsea Castle with 78 terrace units (around 40%) installed around the castle’s radius. These units will make up the steps on the two-tier promenade in the area that will eventually make up the ‘theatre of the sea’, offering spectacular views across the Solent.
Near the Pyramids, work on the groyne (rock structure that juts out to sea to limit beach erosion) is due to start on Sunday 19 March at midday. Some night working in this area will take place from 20 March as the work is tidal dependent. We’ve moved the groyne core material closer to the work location to minimise noise during nights. Working shifts will take place around three hours before and three hours after low water.
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