Funded PhD: Adapting towards a climate resilient transport lifeline: Future-Proofing the North Wales Coastal Railway
Charlotte Lyddon
Adapting towards a climate resilient transport lifeline: Future-Proofing the North Wales Coastal Railway
Reference number NOMES006
Funded as part of the Centre for Doctoral Training in Net Zero Maritime Energy Solutions
Full-time
Apply by 21 May 2026
Start date 1 October 2026
Subject area Geography
https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/courses/future-proofing-the-north-wales-coastal-railway
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.
Supervisors
Neil Macdonald, Neil.ma...@liverpool.ac.uk, https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/neil-macdonald
Charlotte Lyddon, C.E.L...@liverpool.ac.uk, https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/charlotte-lyddon
Ryan Barrett, Network Rail
Julie Gregory, Network Rail
Candidates will have, or be due to obtain, a Master’s Degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. Exceptional candidates with a First Class Bachelor’s Degree in an appropriate field or significant relevant experience will also be considered.
Funding your PhD
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.
Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application. We'll be in touch with further details about what happens next.