£30 million boost for coastal communities adapting to eroding shores

The Environment Agency has announced £30 million for Coastal Adaptation Pilots, allocating £18 million to projects in the East Riding of Yorkshire, Norfolk and Suffolk and £12 million to Regional Flood and Coastal Committees; the pilots are due to start in April 2026.

The Environment Agency has announced £30 million to help coastal communities in England adapt to accelerating shoreline erosion. The funding will be delivered through new Coastal Adaptation Pilots and additional regional allocations. The pilots build on an earlier Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme and are described as a way to develop and share long-term adaptation approaches. The agency says the work responds to rising sea levels and some of the fastest eroding coasts in Europe. Key details: - A total of £30 million has been announced for coastal adaptation work across England. - £18 million is allocated to projects in the East Riding of Yorkshire, Norfolk and Suffolk to continue advanced adaptation work, including selective property purchases and long-term financing solutions in areas facing imminent erosion risk. - £12 million is being made available to Regional Flood and Coastal Committees to select smaller-scale adaptation readiness projects, which may include moving community buildings, testing early warning systems for erosion events, and improving beach access and coastal tourism infrastructure. - The pilots require a 10% local funding contribution to unlock further investment and are due to start in April 2026; the Environment Agency will manage the pilots and provide technical support. - The agency’s National Coastal Erosion Risk Map reported that around 20,000 properties could be at risk from coastal change by 2105. Summary: The funding is intended to help local authorities and communities trial approaches to coastal transition and build local expertise for future adaptation. The pilots begin in April 2026, will involve local contributions, and the Environment Agency and regional committees will work with councils to identify and deliver priority actions. The programme builds on previous work and aims to share learning with other communities facing similar coastal pressures.