Researchers from the Universities of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and Hull, alongside experts from the Universities of Birmingham, Leeds, and York, have formed a new network to enhance property flood resilience across the UK.
The initiative, named PFRnet+, aims to bring together academics, government bodies, industry professionals, and community representatives. Its core objectives include identifying research priorities, fostering innovation, and strengthening the evidence base for Property Flood Resilience (PFR).
This network aligns with the UK Research and Innovation's commitment under the FloodReady Action Plan, published in 2025. The plan highlighted that approximately 6.3 million properties in England are currently at risk of flooding, a figure projected to rise to eight million by mid-century. PFR is identified as a crucial strategy for mitigating flood impacts and aiding faster recovery for individuals and businesses.
PFRnet+ will draw on expertise from diverse fields including engineering, environmental science, social science, economics, data science, and policy. It will also engage with insurers, local authorities, government agencies, flood-risk consultancies, professional bodies, and communities.
The network's work will focus on five key priorities: enhancing the effectiveness and trustworthiness of flood protection products, testing, and standards; developing flood-resilient buildings, materials, and retrofit solutions; utilising data, modelling, and technology for improved flood resilience decisions; prioritising people and communities in flood resilience strategies; and unlocking investment through insurance, finance, policy, and regulation.
Professor Jessica Lamond, Professor of Real Estate and Climate Risk at UWE Bristol and joint lead for PFRnet+, stated, “We know that flooding is the most costly and widespread natural hazard in the UK, and we need to develop greater capabilities to inform a national response to the issue which affects millions of people.” She added that PFRnet+ is a crucial step in bringing academia and industry together to understand what works and why, aiming to develop a research and innovation roadmap for the next decade.
Professor Stuart McLelland, Professor of Water Science at the University of Hull and joint lead, commented, “Flooding is one of the most significant environmental challenges we face. By bringing expertise together around shared priorities, we can accelerate innovation and build the evidence needed to make properties and communities more resilient to flooding.” The University of Hull's PFRlab, developed with the Environment Agency and Flood Re, plays a key role in testing PFR products.
The network plans to foster collaboration and accelerate the translation of research into practical solutions through workshops, conferences, training, Special Interest Groups, and funded research projects. It will also establish a national Property Flood Resilience Research and Innovation Roadmap and utilise a Flexible Fund to promote research and knowledge exchange.
