Almost all of the systems/structures related to critical infrastructure (CI) of the United Kingdom (UK) are in contact with the soil substrate. Therefore how the ground reacts to them both naturally and as a result of their [CI] impact being placed upon them needs to be understood. The main causes of ground movement and associated soil types within the UK have been identified as follows:

• Clay – Shrink/Swell
• Sand – Erosion
• Peat – Shrinkage
• Silt – Frost heave
• Alluvial soils – Compressibility
• Sulfate Bearing soils – Ground heave

This review aims to describe the following soil processes and understand their interaction with critical infrastructure systems within the UK in light of a changing UK climate. Climate change is highlighted as being the main driver of a changing risk to infrastructure systems if future climate predictions are proven correct.