English seaside resort to make its beach even bigger – by doubling in size
The stretch between the Pyramid Centre and the Coffee Cup café in Southsea will be extended with more than one million tonnes of shingle added to the beach.
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The beach expansion is part of the Southsea Coastal Scheme, which is the UK's largest local coastal defence project.
The local authority-led campaign will improve the seafront along 2.7 miles of Southsea's coastline, which includes adding sea defences in the form of extra shingle.
By adding over one million tonnes, the larger beach will absorb more wave energy and protect the coastline.
The plan is to top it up in the future if the shingle runs low.
Work on this part of the project will begin in October 2025 and is set to be complete in March 2026.
The Southsea Coastal Scheme, costing over £180million, first began in 2020.
Some parts of the project are underway, and some are already complete.
Work around the Long Curtain Moat is done which saw the demolition of a seawall and the building of a new one.
Around the area, two new bridges were built, the promenade was made higher and wider, and there was new seating added too.
Around Southsea Castle, rocks were imported to create new sea defences.
UK beach named one of the top 100 in the world
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Improvements were also made along the promenade between Pyramids and Speaker's Corner with new terraces, play areas and seating.
There are still works underway at Southsea Common with further work to start in 2027 at Clarence Pier.
The entire scheme is expected to be completed by 2029.
Locals are happy with the work to their beach, one commented on Facebook: "Two weeks ago we walked from South parade pier along the new sea defence and wow it is fabulous what a difference."
Another added: "All the work done so far is superb. This additional work will enhance both the sea defences and aesthetically improve the whole of the seafront."
Project Executive Marc Bryan said: 'We've chosen to build a larger shingle beach in this area because they're great at absorbing wave energy which in turn helps reduce erosion and protects homes and businesses from coastal flooding.
'The new beach will adapt to rising seas and our changing climate while still providing the required standard of protection.
'It will be easily maintained and can be topped up if needed in the future.'
For more on beaches, check out the world's 50 best and where to find the two in England that made the cut.
And here's the pretty UK beach, compared to those in Portugal and California, that's been named one of the best in the world.
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