Haycock Associates were invited to speak at the 4th conference on adapting infrastructure, with a special reference to historical assets. Dr Nick Haycock covered a range of projects, notably the challenges faced in restoring Boscastle after its 2004 floods and adapting its infrastructure to cope with extreme water and sediment influxes. The presentation also covered issues of bridge re-design in the Lake District through to adapting estuary and coastal defenses, where many of the features are historically designated and also protect Scheduled Ancient Monuments and SSSI/SAC reserves. The meeting included presentations from English Heritage, the Environment Agency, Atkins Global and Blackpool Council. Dr Nick Haycock and Professor Andy Hughes (Atkins Global) covered issues relating to changes in the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and how these may present opportunities and challenges for the protection of historical water features such as lakes. Also discussed at the meeting were the challenges presented by the current implementation of the Habitats and Water Framework Directives, especially in relation to the upgrading of river weirs to ensure they do not hinder the free passage of fish communities.