Glasson Dock: A Case Study in Pragmatic Flood Resilience
How a Coastal Village Avoided Disaster: Glasson Dock’s Award-Winning Flood Response
August 2024
Glasson Dock at a Glance
3-week turnaround
23 properties protected
Zero flood damage during high tide
Community-led action group launched
Awarded a Community Resilience accolade by national programme
Background
Glasson Dock, a small coastal village near Lancaster, has long played a dual role as both a working port and a close-knit residential community. In 2024, this balance was severely threatened by the failure, and eventual removal, of a vital hydraulic sea gate. The gate was part of the area’s wider flood defence system, protecting homes and businesses near the River Lune estuary, which connects to Morecambe Bay and the Irish Sea.
With the year’s highest tide forecast for 22 August, and permanent repairs on the sea gate delayed until at least 2025, urgent action was vital to safeguard the village’s most vulnerable areas: Victoria Terrace and Railway Place.
Local councillor Sally Maddocks worked closely with the Environment Agency and Watertight International, who was tasked with designing and delivering a rapid, community-focused flood protection scheme.
What Was Done?
Watertight was contacted at the height of the crisis and responded immediately. The team was immediately mobilised to the site, conducting property surveys and designing a tailored flood resilience scheme under intense time pressure.
In just three weeks, Watertight successfully installed bespoke flood protection measures to 23 properties, including 15 homes and eight commercial premises such as the Port of Lancaster. This included flood barriers, brickwork defences and non-return valves, all of which were adapted for each property.
Crucially, Watertight took a person-first approach throughout the project. Installations were delivered with vulnerable residents in mind, including elderly individuals and those with disabilities, ensuring usability, accessibility and reassurance.
At the same time, Watertight supported the establishment of a new community-led Flood Action Group. Residents were provided with hands-on training, educational sessions and ongoing support to build flood awareness and confidence in managing risks going forward.
What Was the Impact?
The scheme was completed ahead of the anticipated high tide — and none of the 23 protected properties flooded; a testament to the success of the swift and collaborative approach and delivering both practical and emotional reassurance to the community.
Beyond the technical achievements, the project brought together community members, the local authority and the Environment Agency under a shared mission: to safeguard Glasson Dock through collective action. New relationships were forged, tensions were eased and long-standing gaps in communication were bridged, and all within a matter of weeks.
Mark Arrowsmith, Operations Director at Watertight commented that, “The result was not just a safer community, but a more empowered one.”
The significance of this work was nationally recognised when the project was awarded the Community Action Award at the Environment Agency’s Flood & Coast Excellence Awards 2025. The scheme stood out as a shining example of what pragmatic, community-led flood resilience can achieve, under pressure.
Key outcomes
Zero properties flooded during the August 2024 high tide event.
23 properties protected with tailored, professionally installed PFR solutions.
A new Flood Action Group formed, with nearly 70 community members engaged.
Improved community awareness, knowledge and confidence in managing future flood events.
Successful collaboration between residents, local government, and national agencies.
National recognition with a Flood & Coast Excellence Award for Community Action (2025).
Lessons Learned
While not intended as a permanent solution, the intervention clearly demonstrated the power of pragmatic PFR: a flexible, responsive and community-led approach to flood resilience.
The leadership of local figures such as Councillor Sally Maddocks, combined with the technical expertise and responsiveness of Watertight, proved that it is possible to deliver high-quality, code-compliant flood protection rapidly and respectfully, even in logistically complex environments.
This case also underlined that flood resilience is as much about trust, education and empowerment as it is about bricks and barriers.
In their words:
“I live in Glasson Dock and I’m a city councillor – my community was opened to a flooding risk after 30 years of being protected. This was from a sea gate that had been poorly maintained, and in the end necessitated a removal, which meant my community was open to a real risk of flooding.
The EA contacted Watertight and with just three weeks’ turnaround they came and gave us a range of flood resilience measures that enabled the community to become more aware and prepared. I can absolutely say, without any hesitation, that Watertight went the extra mile to look after the vulnerable people in our community.”
“I can categorically confirm that my house is now a fortress! What was impressive for me was how Watertight managers navigated tricky local politics and historical grievances. Such was their managerial skill and ability to bring people together in a community and were instrumental in the establishment of our Flood Forum. We were consulted at every stage and given proper training. We’re now more knowledgeable and confident in protecting ourselves.”
“Watertight, alongside the Environment Agency and Lancaster City Council, was proud to deliver a people-first flood resilience scheme that truly showcased what can be achieved when urgency meets collaboration.”
Is your community flood-ready?
Whether you’re a local council, facilities manager, or resident in a flood-prone area, the Glasson Dock experience proves that pragmatic Flood Resilience is achievable and fast.
