Portsmouth City Council will begin the refurbishment of the Sails of the South on the M275, on the 10 February. The project will help keep the structure safe and looking at its very best for Portsmouth’s centenary year as a city. It was originally unveiled in March 2001 as part of a scheme to enhance the entrance to the city.
The fabric sail panels that form the part of the 43 metre (114ft) high structure, also known as the Tri-Sail, have come to the end of their working life, with some removed recently for safety.
All 27 new sail panels will be fitted, replacing all existing and missing ones, using strong, durable fabric, chosen because it performs well in coastal weather and requires very little maintenance.
Specialist contractors will also check the supporting booms and masts and replace or upgrade any fixings that need attention. This will make sure the whole structure meets today’s safety standards and should last another 25 years before it needs attention again.
Access for workers to the central reservation is limited because there are no vehicle or pedestrian routes into this area. This means access must be provided from the M275. To carry out the work safely with minimised disruption, the contractor will use an innovative approach called Enhanced Mobile Carriageway Closure (EMCC), that allows for the traffic to be slowed down for a few minutes for access, rather than stopping traffic or installing long, fixed lane closures.
This keeps traffic moving and reduces disruption for people travelling out of the city, while still giving workers the safe access they need. This will be the first time it has been used in the area and is thanks to the council’s investment in accessing live traffic data.
Work is scheduled to start on Tuesday 10 February, following a night‑time closure on Monday 9 February. Work is expected to take around 10 weeks, based on the contractor’s current programme and dependent on weather conditions.
Cllr Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport said:
“The Sails of the South is an iconic feature that welcomes people into Portsmouth, so I’m delighted we’ve been able to provide the funding to get it looking tip-top for the Portsmouth 100 centenary celebrations. This essential work will make sure it stays safe, strong and attractive for years to come, while keeping disruption on the M275 to a minimum.”