Package of improvements coming soon to Weston Shore
Weston Shore is a beautiful spot in the city. With its direct access to the waterfront and views over the Solent, it is a popular place to visit within Southampton
During the spring/ summer months, residents and visitors will notice work being carried out to the area as part of a package of improvements to conserve and protect the popular waterfront site, one of only a few coastal habitats in the city.
The programme of work includes:
- Replacing path at east end of the parade which was washed away in Storm Eunice
- Building a new sleeper wall to help preserve the coastline and prevent shingle from being washed up onto the path (part of a National Cycle Route) reducing the likelihood of future storms washing the footpath away
- Taking out the cycle barriers at Abbey Hill/ Netley Castle, providing a better entrance to the park and an improved junction for park users
- Upgrading the sleeper wall along the front car park
- Carrying out surface and drainage work to Westwood car park as well as measures to prevent cars from driving onto the green space
- Replacing worn out benches with new ones
- Installing barriers to discourage unauthorised traveller encampments
- The design and build of a rock armour revetment (medium sized rock boulders) to reduce coastal erosion at the west end of the park
- New information boards explaining the purpose of the new sea defence structure and the importance of the shore to over-wintering birds and wildlife
- Re-painting the art-deco shelters and removing the unused aluminium window frames
Plans are also underway to improve Weston Shore play area on Western Parade, replacing current equipment to provide an up-to-date facility for children and young people.
Councillor Steven Galton, Cabinet Member for Environment comments:
“Weston Shore is a popular area in Southampton, as well as an important coastal habitat for wildlife. There are so many different features to Weston Shore which makes it such a unique and interesting place to visit in the city, which is why works to conserve the area for people to enjoy for years to come is vital.
“As part of our commitment to improve our parks, open spaces waterfronts, we hope that the environment as well as leisurely benefits will be felt by everyone who visits Weston Shore.”
The site is part of the Weston Shore SINC (Site of Interest for Nature Conservation). In 1992, it was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) as part of the Lee-on-Solent to Itchen Estuary SSSI.
Weston Shore supports a diverse number of coastal habitats, with vegetated shingle, maritime grassland and cliff habitat, saltmarsh and swamp all present within its urban location. At low tide the mudflats provide an important feeding site for thousands of wetland birds.
