Getting here by car

Portsmouth enjoys excellent road connections; the A3(M) puts London only one and a half hours away, and the M27/A27 connects the city with Britain's motorway network.

Drivers heading into the city from Southampton, Bournemouth and the west will approach via the M27. From here, take Junction 12, for the M275 - which will take you right into the heart of the city.

If you're travelling by car, Portsmouth Park & Ride is strongly recommended for a quick, easy and convenient onward journey to the city centre and beyond.

If you choose to drive yourself into central Portsmouth, simply follow signs from the M275 to Gunwharf Quays and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Fratton Park, the Isle of Wight Ferries, the Seafront and beyond.

Those heading in from Chichester, Brighton and the east can also head down the M275, or may alternatively wish to try the A2030 - the Eastern Road. Whilst this comes to an end across the other side of the city from the ferry port, Dockyard and Gunwharf Quays, it's a popular route into Central Southsea and the Seafront.

   

Southsea Coastal Scheme road closures

Work is ongoing to improve the sea defences around Southsea. This huge, multi-million pound project will not only protect many homes and businesses from flooding, but also improve the walkways and viewing areas around Southsea seafront.

Due to the sheer scale of the project, some seafront roads will need to be closed for work to be carried out safely. Often, these road closures will be in place for a long time, some for a number of years.

See the Southsea Coastal Scheme website for all the updates, not just on the works but also all related road closures.

   

Electric car charging points

There are a huge (and growing) number of places where you can charge an electric vehicle in Portsmouth.

Public (or off-street) charge points currently available around Portsmouth include:

Stubbington Avenue Car Park
The Annex, 2 Stubbington Ave, North End, Portsmouth PO2 0HS.
One Mer rapid chargepoint available. You’ll need the Mer app, which is available on Google Play and App Store.
There is no charge for parking, but drivers can only stay for two hours to allow other EV owners to charge their vehicles when needed.

Tesco Fratton
Fratton Way, Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea PO4 8FD.
Six PodPoint chargepoints available. You’ll need the PodPoint app, which is available on Google Play and App Store.
There is no charge for parking, but there are limitations on how long vehicles can remain parked.

Tesco Metro Cosham
16 High St, Cosham, Portsmouth PO6 3BZ.
Two PodPoint chargepoints available. You’ll need the PodPoint app, which is available on Google Play and App Store.
There is no charge for parking, but there are limitations on how long vehicles can remain parked.

Tesco Extra North Harbour
Clement Attlee Way, Cosham, Portsmouth PO6 4SR.
Four PodPoint chargepoints available. You’ll need the PodPoint app, which is available on Google Play and App Store.
There is no charge for parking, but there are limitations on how long vehicles can remain parked.

Gunwharf Quays
Twelve PodPoint chargepoints available. You’ll need the PodPoint app, which is available on Google Play and App Store.
Parking charges apply.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Dockyard Car Park, Historic, Admiralty Rd, Portsmouth PO1 3GW.
Four BP Pulse chargepoints available. You’ll need the BP Pulse app, which is available on Google Play and App Store.
Parking charges apply.

Ocean Retail Park
Burrfields Rd, Portsmouth PO3 5NP.
Two PodPoint chargepoints available. You’ll need the PodPoint app, which is available on Google Play and App Store.
There is no charge for parking, but there are limitations on how long vehicles can remain parked.

Wightlink Terminal
Portsmouth Car Ferry Terminal, Gunwharf Road, Portsmouth, PO1 2LA.
Two BP Pulse chargepoints available. You’ll need the BP Pulse app, which is available on Google Play and App Store.
There is no charge for parking, but there are limitations on how long vehicles can remain parked.

Morrisons Victory Retail Park
Flathouse Road, PO1 4QP.
Two GeniePoint chargepoints available. You’ll need the GeniePoint app, which is available on Google Play and App Store.
There is no charge for parking, but there are limitations on how long vehicles can remain parked.

Ibis Hotel Portsmouth
Winston Churchill Ave, Southsea, Portsmouth PO1 2LX.
Four Charge Assist chargepoints available. You’ll need the Charge Assist app, which is available on Google Play and App Store.
Parking charges apply.

Portsmouth International Port
Continental Ferryport, George Byng Way, Portsmouth PO2 8SP.
Two InstaVolt rapid charging stations are available. You’ll need the InstaVolt app, which is available on Google Play and App Store.
There is no charge for parking, please follow signs for Terminal and Exit to find these.

McDonald’s Cosham
Clement Attlee Way, Cosham, Portsmouth PO6 4SR.
Two InstaVolt chargepoints available. You’ll need the InstaVolt app, which is available on Google Play and App Store.
There is no charge for parking, but there are limitations on how long vehicles can remain parked.

On-street electric car charging

Portsmouth City Council took the decision to switch off all on-street charging points in the city in late November, following safety concerns raised by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN). However, a first tranche of 12 charging points has now been reinstated and is available to use. It’s hoped the next phase of chargepoints will be reactivated soon.

The on-street chargepoints are located at:
120 Wymering Road, PO2 7HY
7 St Chads Avenue, PO2 0SA
White Hart Road, outside Mountjoy Court, PO1 2TX
King James Terrace, outside 4 Broad Street, PO1 2LL
Grove Road South, outside Holmbush Court, PO5 3RA
Crofton Road alongside 98 Kirby Road, PO2 0PW
9 Havelock Road, PO5 1RU
82 Jubilee Road, PO4 0JE
72 Dunbar Road, PO4 8EY
52 Hudson Road, PO5 1HD
49 Sheffield Road, PO1 5DP
15 Neville Road, PO3 6HX

See the Portsmouth City Council website for further information on electric car charging points and the latest developments.