Roadworks happen for many reasons. This page will help you see what roadworks are planned in Portsmouth, but bear in mind that they might change because of bad weather, emergencies, or if changes are needed once the work starts. You can use this information as a guide to help plan your journeys.
There are a lot of important roadworks being carried out by utility companies in Portsmouth which are needed to keep these essential services operating. Some examples include Southern Water fixing sewers on Eastern Road. The Council is working closely with these utility companies to make sure that major routes into the city aren’t all affected at the same time. Any updates are shared by the utility companies.
Roadworks in your area
Find out about roadworks across Portsmouth and further beyond using the interactive and searchable map on one.network.
You can:
- search by postcode
- search up to 12 months in advance
- set up email alerts for any future roadworks that might affect you
If you have any questions about these roadworks, please contact the council's Highways contractor Colas.
Frequently asked questions
Why are there so many major utility works currently underway?
There are more utility works being carried out, mainly due to the aging infrastructure of our utility networks, as well as the rising demands placed upon them.
As these networks weaken over time, they become more prone to bursts and leaks, and sometimes utility companies need to make urgent repairs to prevent interruptions to the service. Additionally, a number of issues in certain areas have increased the need for major maintenance work to be carried out.
Utility companies have a statutory obligation to carry out and pay for emergency works on their networks to make sure customers continue to receive the services they need.
Why aren’t all road works carried out overnight?
There are several factors affecting the timing of road works, including:
- Noise considerations: Some tasks are too noisy to be carried out overnight and need to respect local regulations and community comfort.
- Safety precautions: Ensuring that workers and road users remain safe means that work sometimes needs to be carried out during the day when visibility is better. This will depend on the road works needed.
- Being close to critical infrastructure: Certain road works may be next to critical infrastructure. In this case, it may be better to work during the day to reduce risks.
- Cost-effectiveness: While overnight work may seem more practical, it can cost more due to the extra lighting, labour, planning and organising that's needed.
Why can't I always see engineers at road works?
There are various reasons why you might not always be able to see engineers:
- Tarmac setting: Some tasks, such as allowing tarmac to cure, take longer and don't need people to be present all the time.
- Testing and supply checks: Engineers might be working off-site to carry out essential tests or supply checks, ready for the work to start.
- Collecting materials: Engineers may need to leave the site temporarily to collect materials, as it might not be possible to store them on-site.
- Compliance and safety: Safety regulations may mean that there are restrictions on working hours. Government standards may control when workers take their rest periods.
Why aren’t more engineers allocated to a project?
Increasing the number of engineers may not necessarily speed up the work, due to the space available to work in or the types of activity being carried out.
Traffic regulation orders (TROs)
Traffic regulation orders (TROs) are legal documents that enable the council to manage traffic in the city. They give details about permanent changes such as parking restrictions, speed limits and other traffic management measures.
Temporary traffic regulation orders (TTROs)
Temporary traffic regulation orders (TTROs) are legal documents that allow temporary changes to traffic arrangements. They give details about temporary road closures, restrictions and roadworks needed for maintenance, events or public safety.