Climate Department Announces Adaptation Programme for the Principal Sites

The Climate Department of the Velocity Interoperability Network today published its adaptation programme for the six principal sites of the Network, together with the Network's first climate risk register. The register identifies eight risks to the Network's sites and operations. Three are rated high: river and surface-water flooding, extreme heat affecting staff and equipment, and storm damage to relay and transmission infrastructure.

The programme comprises seven works: flood defences at Southbank Terminal, cooling and shading at Central Exchange, surface-water drainage at Westbrook Distribution Site, resilient power and cooling at Northgate Relay, water storage at Eastfield Campus, cooling refuges at Meridian Court, and tree planting across all sites. Site surveys begin in October 2026, the first planting season opens in November 2026, and the first construction works are planned for spring 2027.

The programme was drawn up with the Interior Department, which manages the sites, and the Emergency Management Department, which leads the response when a risk materialises. The full programme, the stage each work has reached and its planned completion date are set out on the Adaptation page of this site, and the register on the Climate Risk Register page. Both will be reviewed annually.