Work on Frontage 6, covering the seafront between South Parade Pier and St George’s Road, is expected to begin in spring 2027 and be completed in late summer 2028.

Before work gets underway, two public engagement events will give people the opportunity to see the latest plans and visuals, understand how the work will be carried out and speak directly to members of the project team.

The events will be held at CourtX, Eastern Parade, Southsea, PO4 9RF, on:

• Friday 23 October, 3pm to 7pm
• Saturday 24 October, 12pm to 4pm

Members of Portsmouth City Council’s development team will also be at the events with the proposed design for the new seafront concessions building, giving people an opportunity to find out more about the wider plans for this part of the seafront.

Frontage 6 will continue the transformation of Southsea seafront eastwards from South Parade Pier, combining vital new coastal defences with significant improvements to the public realm. The plans will create a raised, resurfaced promenade, improved walking and cycling routes, upgraded road and pedestrian crossings, new lighting and places to sit and enjoy the seafront, creating a safer, more attractive and accessible waterfront for residents and visitors.

The work is part of the wider £180m+ Southsea Coastal Scheme, the UK’s largest local authority-led coastal defences project. Stretching 4.5km along Southsea seafront, the scheme will reduce the risk of coastal flooding to more than 10,000 homes and 700 businesses, helping to protect the city for the next 100 years while creating an improved seafront for future generations. Much of Southsea’s previous sea defences had reached the end of their operational life, making this investment vital to the city’s long-term resilience.

The engagement events will also provide more information about how construction will affect the area, including planned changes to traffic, walking and cycling routes and access to the beach.

Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council said: “The Southsea Coastal Scheme is not only about providing the flood protection our city needs for the future, but making sure we create a seafront that people can continue to enjoy for generations to come.

“Frontage 6 is the next major step in that work. We know construction on this scale will affect people who live, work, visit and travel through the area, which is why we want to explain the plans well before work begins.

“I’d encourage people to come along, take a look at what is planned and speak to the teams about both the coastal works and the wider plans for this part of the seafront.”

There is no need to book and people can drop in at any point during either event.

The Southsea Coastal Scheme is led by Portsmouth City Council and delivered by Coastal Partners and VSBW, a joint venture between VolkerStevin and Boskalis Westminster. The scheme is supported by government funding through the Environment Agency.