People are being encouraged to plan journeys in advance if travelling into and around Portsmouth during the planned events to commemorate D-Day 80.
Portsmouth is expected to be busy during this week, so please allow extra time and consider choosing sustainable travel options to help make journeys greener, whilst reducing congestion for all road users.
There are four key events planned to commemorate D-Day 80:
- Monday 3 June, BBC Radio 2 is marking the occasion with a special concert being held at Portsmouth Guildhall. Presented by Vernon Kay, the concert features the combined musical forces of the BBC Concert Orchestra and the BBC Big Band as they perform some of the best loved and most enduring music of that era. Visit portsmouthguildhall.org.uk for more information.
- Wednesday 5 June – The Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) national commemoration to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Southsea Common. This is only open to ticket holders, and no public vantage point will be available, people without tickets can watch the event live on TV.
- Thursday 6 June – The Royal British Legion D-Day Memorial Service and beacon lighting will take place from 10.30am to 12pm at the D-Day Memorial, St Helen’s Parade, Southsea. This will include a Military and Veterans Parade and is open to the public. The beacon lighting ceremony will be taking place at Southsea Castle at 9.15pm.
- Saturday 8 June – the annual Armed Forces Day event will take place on Southsea Common, between 10.00am and 4pm. This will be an action-packed day for the whole family to enjoy, including displays from land and sky and is free to attend and open to everyone.
A Portsmouth City Council Spokesperson said:
“We’re proud that Portsmouth has been chosen for these national commemorations of D-Day 80. We’ve been working alongside our transport operators to make it as easy as possible for people to get to and from the events, and we’ve been working with the MOD, the police, and other stakeholders to ensure events take place securely and safely.
As well as the MOD’s ticketed event on 5 June, the city council has organised the annual Armed Forces Day on 8 June, which is free for the public to join.”
Some roads near Southsea Common will be closed and parking suspended, to make the event on 5 June run safely and ensure the security of everyone attending is considered. These closures will affect residents, including some permit holders, information on alternative parking can be found here
As there is limited parking near the seafront, consider using the park and ride service if you are planning to drive. This is conveniently located on the M275, Junction 1 and is a pleasant walk to Southsea seafront from stops at Victoria Park or the Hard Interchange. Buses will be running every 15 minutes until 7.20pm from Victoria Park. All park and ride services use wheelchair accessible buses.
Ticket holders for the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) national commemoration on Wednesday 5 June can use the additional park and ride service travelling into Southsea as part of their ticket. Buses are running from 8am, with the last bus leaving at 11.15pm.
On Saturday 8 June there will be a special park and ride service open to the public to get to and from the annual Armed Forces Day event in Southsea. This service will run every 15 minutes from 9:35am with the last bus leaving Southsea at 7.32pm.
The easiest way to travel into Portsmouth is by train to Portsmouth & Southsea railway station, regular travel updates are shared on the National Rail website and app.
Ministry of Defence event ticket holders can also make use of the free shuttle bus to get to Southsea on Wednesday 5 June, as detailed in the Ticketmaster FAQs.
People travelling to Southsea from within the city are encouraged to consider walking, cycling or taking the bus to and from the events, with fares at only £2 for any single journey in the city.
You could also choose to rent an e-scooter or bicycle, but please note that the area immediately around the event site will not be accessible on Wednesday 5 June. To get started, download the free Breeze app.
There will be plenty of signs to follow to find the entrance to the different events and volunteers will be able to help people find their way.