Overview
The North Wales coastal railway provides key connectivity for communities, tourism and freight from Holyhead to the rest of the country. However, this key section of infrastructure is increasingly at risk from climate change impacts, including sea level rise, increased storm surges, and accelerated coastal erosion, and the growing frequency and intensity of extreme storms hitting this exposed region.
About this opportunity
Context
The North Wales coastal railway is an integral part of the Wales and Borders route, and provides key connectivity for communities, tourism and freight from Holyhead to the rest of the country. The Wales and Borders region has the greatest length of coastal railway within the UK network, with the North Wales coastal line particularly exposed to climate change impacts such as sea level rise, increased storm surges, accelerated coastal erosion, and the growing threat of more frequent and intense storms.
Aim and Objectives
The aim of this PhD is to investigate how the North Wales coastal railway can be adapted to enhance the climate resilience of this critical infrastructure, thereby safeguarding operational performance and strengthening the resilience of the coastal communities it serves.
The core objective will be to develop a framework of critical trigger levels to inform adaptation pathways for the railway. These thresholds will integrate projections of sea-level rise and storm surge scenarios, asset condition, performance and lifespan data to identify where and when interventions for new coastal protection become necessary. The framework will enable evidence-led, cost-effective adaptation planning on when, where and how interventions are decided, ensuring that the right level of mitigation included at the right time in the future.
The research will first assess the coastal railway line’s vulnerability to sea-level rise, erosion and storm surges, and then develop a framework of trigger thresholds linking climate projections to asset condition and performance. Alternative adaptation pathways to test timing, cost, and effectiveness of interventions will be modelled. Findings will inform evidence-led adaptation planning, supporting integration of climate resilience within future control periods business plans and wider regional transport and coastal policy.
Methods
The project will integrate field monitoring, historical performance data, asset condition assessments, and climate projection and resilience modelling to identify vulnerabilities and develop predictive tools for operational planning. It will also evaluate the role of both traditional and nature-based coastal defence interventions in extending asset life while supporting environmental objectives, recognising that many of these key infrastructures are also of historical (listed buildings and structures) importance.
In addition to the University supervisors this project will be supported by the Weather Resilience and Climate Adaptation (WRCCA) team at Network Rail along with support from route engineers and operational colleagues. This project is a unique opportunity to understand how climate change is affecting ageing infrastructure in our route and will allow Network Rail to develop more detailed, evidence-based planning into the future and ensure that the railway is fit for purpose for generations to come.
It is expected that this studentship will contribute to scholarly communities working in Natural Hazards, Infrastructure (historical and contemporary), community engagement and resilience. In a cultural, intellectual sense the work will afford important insights into how organisations can address the challenges of climate change, recognising the diverse and varied needs of communities along such environments.
This project is offered as part of The AHRC-NERC Living Well with Water [LWwW] Doctoral Focal Award at the University’s of Hull and Liverpool, in partnership with National Trust, Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) and Tate Liverpool. By applying for one of our fully funded interdisciplinary doctoral awards you will explore the relationship between water, culture and community in coastal regions and become part of a new generation of researchers shaping solutions to urgent human and planetary health challenges.
You will participate in our innovative doctoral training programme, undertake a placement with one of our partner organisations, and learn research skills transferable to a variety of future careers. https://www.hull.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/funded-opportunities/living-well-with-water