While other areas of public sector spending are being slashed, coastal defences remain a spending priority.  Phil Bishop reports on a sector keeping its head above water.

Coastal defences is only a niche market for civil engineering contractors but so far appears unthreatened by cuts likely to affect other areas of public spending.

A recent reorganisation of responsibilities now sees all the money passed through the Environment Agency (EA) rather than directly to local authorities from Defra. Acting as gatekeeper, the EA determines priorities and either acts as client directly or funds the local authorities, depending on the project. (more…)