Summers may bring fires on moors and melted roads

The National Grid is planning to upgrade defences at 13 electricity substations which are at risk of flooding, while Network Rail is also drawing up strategies for rail routes at risk from coastal flooding.

As water temperatures rise, Natural England is even considering moving rare fish from the Lake District to more northerly locations, where the water would be cooler.

Details of the measures being considered are included in a series of reports produced by agencies for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to identify risks created by climate change and draw up plans to overcome them.

In total 91 organisations have been ordered to submit reports, with the first group – from the National Grid, Environment Agency, Trinity Lighthouse Authority, Highways Agency, Network Rail and Natural England – published yesterday.

Environment Minister Lord Henley said: "It is crucial that major organisations with key roles in keeping the country running are alive to the risks that a changing climate will have on their business, because they need to start planning for how they're going to adapt.

"Defra commissioned these reports so that we could understand how prepared the providers of key services are, and focus their minds on taking action.

"Business as usual is not an option, and planning now will prevent a lot of expense down the line when the projections of climate change become a reality.

"Businesses of all sizes need to assess how climate change could affect them."

Natural England warns of an increased risk of fire in moors and woodland if temperatures were to rise, with changes in agriculture threatening the future of hedgerows.

As well as dealing with flood risks, Network Rail warns higher temperatures could lead to tracks buckling, trains failing and maintenance being hindered.

Road design may have to be revised so it can cope with the heat and avoid surfaces melting in high temperatures.

Rising sea levels could also leave lighthouses inaccessible while there would be an increased risk of them falling into the sea as a result of coastal erosion or storm surges.

Foundations may need to be strengthened to protect them against a rise in the sea level of as much as one metre, Trinity Lighthouse Authority warns.

National Grid is also dealing with the prospect of gas pipes becoming exposed and leaking through subsidence, river erosion or coastal erosion, while agencies say flood defences may have to be built with spaces for fish to pass through as they search for cooler water.