National award for Flood Action Group
Glasson Dock residents honoured for community resilience programme
A Lancashire flood action group, which has shown the full power of how a community can come together to protect itself against an emergency, recently won a national award.
The Glasson Dock Flood Action Group recently won the Community Action Award at the Environment Agency’s Flood & Coast Excellence Awards 2025 after standing out as a shining example of what community-led flood resilience can achieve under pressure.
Glasson Dock 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 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 city councillor Sally Maddocks worked closely with the Environment Agency and Watertight International, a company that specialises in flood resistance, to design and deliver a rapid, community-focused flood protection scheme.
Watertight conducted property surveys and designed a tailored flood resilience scheme. In just three weeks, they 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.
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.
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).
Talking about the scheme Coun Maddocks, said: “I live in Glasson Dock and the community was opened to a flooding risk after 30 years of being protected.
“The Environment Agency 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.’’
Sally Watson, a Glasson Dock resident, said: “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.”
The Flood & Coast Excellence Awards recognise and honour the outstanding achievements shaping the future of flood and coastal resilience across the UK and internationally.
This year's awards recognised vital work that has significantly contributed to managing flood and coastal risk, building local flood resilience, and addressing climate change and celebrates individuals, organisations and projects that are pushing boundaries in climate adaptation, community engagement and sustainable development.
