Adapting towards a climate resilient transport lifeline: Future-Proofing the North Wales Coastal Railway

About the Project

The North Wales coastal railway provides key connectivity for communities, energy and freight from Holyhead to the rest of the country, with electrification of the line set to be completed by 2035 delivering a crucial component of future net zero infrastructure. 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. This PhD will explore the threats and challenges presented to this critical infrastructure and explore how it can be adapted and supported operationally using evidence-based decision making.

Context

The North Wales coastal railway is an integral part of the Wales and Borders route, it provides key connectivity for North Wales communities and supporting infrastructure development (e.g. Wylfa nuclear power plant), with electrification of the line to be completed by 2035, benefiting from offshore windfarm energy production. 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 current operational performance and strengthening future network resilience for electrification.

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 and threats, performance and lifespan data to identify where and when interventions for adaptation become necessary in delivering Net Zero ambitions. The framework will enable evidence-led, cost-effective adaptation planning on when, where and how climate resilience interventions are decided, supporting reliability and therefore modal shift, as well as the future electrification plans

The research will first assess the coastal railway line’s vulnerability (sea-level rise, erosion, flood risk and storm surges) and develop a framework of trigger thresholds linking climate projections to current and future asset condition and performance. Alternative adaptation pathways to test timing, cost, and effectiveness of interventions will be modelled, supporting operational reliability with its associated net zero benefits as well as facilitating the future planned electrification ambitions. Findings will inform evidence-led adaptation planning, supporting integration of climate resilience within future funding periods business plans and wider regional transport, energy 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 in support of infrastructure resilience. It will evaluate and support the identification of where interventions may need to be sought in extending asset life while supporting environmental objectives.

It is expected that this studentship will contribute to scholarly communities working in natural hazards, infrastructure (historical and contemporary), net zero futures, 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 and society along such environments.

Supervision

In addition to the University supervisors this project will be supported by the Resilience and Sustainable Growth 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 supporting Net Zero ambitions through modal shift to a reliable network as well as future electrification and energy supply upgrades to the network.

This UKRI funded Studentship will cover full tuition fees (for 2026-27 this is £5,238 pa.) and pay a maintenance grant for 4 years, at the UKRI standard rates (for 2026-27 this is £21,805 pa.) The Studentship also comes with access to additional funding in the form of a Research Training Support Grant to fund consumables, conference attendance, etc.

UKRI Studentships are available to any prospective student wishing to apply including both home and international students. While UKRI funding will not cover international fees, a limited number of scholarships to meet the fee difference will be available to support outstanding international students.

We want all of our Staff and Students to feel that Liverpool is an inclusive and welcoming environment that actively celebrates and encourages diversity. We are committed to working with students to make all reasonable project adaptations including supporting those with caring responsibilities, disabilities or other personal circumstances. For example, If you have a disability you may be entitled to a Disabled Students Allowance on top of your studentship to help cover the costs of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result. We believe everyone deserves an excellent education and encourage students from all backgrounds and personal circumstances to apply.

Candidates wishing to apply should complete the University of Liverpool application form to apply for a PhD in Geography (Lab based)

Please review our guide on How to apply for a PhD | Postgraduate research | University of Liverpool carefully and complete the online postgraduate research application form to apply for this PhD project.

Please ensure you include the project title and reference number NOMES006 when applying.