England’s coastline continues to face erosion, placing pressure on homes, public buildings, and local infrastructure. National mapping has identified thousands of properties at risk over the coming decades as sea levels rise and coastal change accelerates. Local authorities and residents rely on coordinated support to maintain services and economic activity in affected areas.
The Environment Agency has announced a £30 million funding package to support coastal communities in England through new Coastal Adaptation Pilots and additional projects selected by Regional Flood and Coastal Committees.
The funding, delivered with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Floods Minister Emma Hardy, targets at-risk areas including East Riding of Yorkshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk.
Introduction
The Environment Agency published the announcement on 28 January 2026, setting out a national programme to strengthen coastal readiness. The measures focus on improving long-term planning and practical support for communities exposed to erosion and coastal change.
The funding establishes new Coastal Adaptation Pilots alongside additional allocations for projects chosen by Regional Flood and Coastal Committees. Together, these initiatives are intended to help local authorities and residents prepare for ongoing environmental pressures.
Context and scale of coastal erosion in England
England’s coastline continues to face erosion and long-term change driven by rising sea levels and environmental pressures. The Environment Agency’s National Coastal Erosion Risk Map indicates that around 20,000 properties could be at risk from coastal change by 2105.
The government has identified coastal adaptation as a priority for protecting communities, local infrastructure, and economic activity in areas most exposed to these impacts. The new funding package is framed as part of a broader approach to managing coastal transition.
Funding package and pilot programme overview
The £30 million package includes £18 million for new Coastal Adaptation Pilots and £12 million allocated to Regional Flood and Coastal Committees for smaller-scale readiness projects. The pilots build on the existing £36 million Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme.
- Coastal Adaptation Pilots
- Regional Flood and Coastal Committees projects
Areas selected for advanced adaptation pilots
The pilot funding will be shared between projects in the East Riding of Yorkshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk. These areas have been involved in developing approaches to long-term coastal transition and will test new methods for managing erosion.
The Environment Agency stated that the regions will help generate learning that can be shared with other coastal communities facing similar challenges. The pilots are intended to support planning for areas where homes and infrastructure face increased risk.
Support for community readiness and infrastructure
Additional funding will be used to help communities take practical steps to prepare for coastal change. This includes relocating community buildings from high-risk areas, testing early warning systems, and improving beach access and tourism infrastructure.
- Early warning systems
- Community building relocation
Project focal areas
| Readiness actions | Projects to help communities prepare for erosion and coastal change |
| Infrastructure | Support for public buildings, access routes, and local facilities |
Local funding contribution and partnership approach
Participating areas in the pilots will be required to provide a 10% local funding contribution. The Environment Agency said this approach is intended to unlock more than £3 million in additional investment.
The partnership model is designed to align national and local resources in addressing coastal erosion. Local authorities and communities will work with the Agency and Regional Flood and Coastal Committees to identify priority actions.
Timeline, management, and technical support
The Environment Agency will manage the pilots, which are due to start in April 2026. Technical support will be provided to participating areas over the coming months.
Learning from the pilots will be shared with other coastal communities to support wider adaptation efforts. The Agency stated that this process aims to build local expertise and capacity for future coastal management work.
Stakeholder Comments
Ministerial Comments
Emma Hardy, Floods Minister said;
“Coastal erosion is one of the most challenging impacts of climate change, and we will always support our towns to adapt where the forces of nature make long-term defence impossible.”
“This new government investment will help some of our most at-risk coastal areas take practical action now, while building the evidence we need to support coastal communities across the country in the decades ahead.”
Alan Lovell, Chair of the Environment Agency said;
“England has some of the fastest eroding coastline in Europe, and climate change is accelerating these pressures. Through the Coastal Adaptation Pilots, we are supporting coastal communities to plan ahead and prepare for a safer and more resilient future.”
In a Nutshell
The £30 million funding package introduces new pilot programmes and local projects aimed at helping coastal communities manage erosion and long-term change.
By combining national oversight with local investment, the Environment Agency and partner organisations will gather evidence and practical experience. Stakeholder feedback and shared learning from the pilots are expected to inform future approaches to coastal adaptation across England.
Sources: Environment Agency, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Emma Hardy MP.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
