Edinburgh Road

Street guide, Portsea

Edinburgh Road is a wide arterial road that runs along the northern boundary of Portsea, roughly following the line of the former town fortifications. It serves as a principal route connecting the Portsea area to the commercial centre of Portsmouth and carries considerable traffic throughout the day. The University of Portsmouth has several major buildings along Edinburgh Road, including the university library, and the street has become closely associated with the institution. Victoria Park, one of the few significant green spaces in this densely built part of the city, lies along the northern side. The road is well served by bus routes and provides access to the surrounding residential streets that run south into Portsea. Cafes, restaurants and shops catering to students are found along its length. Despite its busy, modern character, Edinburgh Road sits on a historically significant line, marking where the defences of Portsea once stood before their removal in the nineteenth century.