Insight
Apr 23, 2026
Flood Industry Magazine Article: Rethinking Flood Protection for a Changing Climate
The way the UK designs and maintains flood and coastal defences is under increasing pressure. A recent feature in Flood Industry highlights a growing challenge: much of the country’s infrastructure was designed using historic climate data that no longer reflects today’s conditions. With more frequent extreme weather and rising sea levels, traditional approaches are being pushed towards their limits.
As Roger Smith, Managing Director of Hesselberg Erosion Protection, explains:
“Climate adaptation isn’t about predicting the future – it’s about building systems resilient to multiple possible pathways.”
The article explores how ageing assets, particularly rigid concrete and steel structures, can fail suddenly once deterioration sets in. Issues such as subsurface erosion, water ingress, and toe scour often go unseen until intervention becomes urgent and costly.
It also sets out the case for more adaptable approaches to flood protection. Flexible systems, including asphaltic and grouted rock revetments, are gaining attention for their ability to accommodate settlement, absorb wave energy, and provide visible signs of wear before failure occurs. This allows for more targeted maintenance and reduces the risk of unexpected asset failure.
A case study at Canvey Island demonstrates how these methods are being used in practice. There, existing sea defences were strengthened and extended to help protect thousands of homes and businesses in one of the UK’s most at-risk coastal communities.
The piece also considers the wider implications for the industry. As climate projections shift, infrastructure owners face increasing pressure to balance resilience, cost, and carbon. Alternative materials and construction methods may offer comparable performance with reduced embodied carbon, alongside faster installation and lower maintenance requirements.
Ultimately, the message is clear: adapting to climate change is not about predicting a single outcome, but preparing infrastructure to perform under a range of future scenarios.
→ Read the full article here https://magazine.floodindustry.com/books/Flood-Industry-Issue-11/?search=Leep#p=43
