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The Thames Barrier - GOV.UK

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Environment

River maintenance, flooding and coastal erosion

Guidance

The Thames Barrier

How the Thames Barrier works, and when it is scheduled to close.

From:

Environment Agency

Published

25 April 2014

Last updated

7 March 2024

—

See all updates

Get emails about this page

Applies to England

Contents

Forthcoming scheduled closures

Forecasting closures

How the Thames Barrier works

Thames Barrier closures

The future of the Thames Barrier

Visiting the Thames Barrier

Print this page

The Thames Barrier is one of the largest movable flood barriers in the world. The Environment Agency runs and maintains the Thames Barrier as well as London’s other flood defences.

You can:

read our gov.uk blog posts.

like our Facebook page

The Thames Barrier

Forthcoming scheduled closures

Planned tests of the Thames Barrier 2024

The Barrier is operated once a month for maintenance and test purposes. Details of the next planned closures are listed below:

Thursday 14 March 2024, 09:40 - 12:10

Thursday 11 April 2024, 09:40 - 12:10

Wednesday 8 May 2024, 07:55 - 10.25

Monday 10 June 2024, 09:40 - 12:10

Tuesday 9 July 2024, 09:35 - 12:05

Thursday 8 August 2024, 09:50 - 12:20

Monday 9 September 2024, 10:50 - 13:20

Sunday 6 October 2024, 09:30 - 19:30

The annual closure of the Barrier is scheduled on Sunday 6 October 2024, from 9.30am to 7.30pm.

Note these times may change as a result of a particular experiment or test that engineers need to carry out or because of the weather. The closure and reopening of the gates may start up to an hour before the listed times. Occasionally, closures may be cancelled at short notice due to the Thames Barrier being closed in that month for flood defence purposes or navigational reasons. If you plan to come and watch a test closure, call us the day before to check it is going ahead.

You can call us on 0208 305 4161 or email thamesbarriertheview@environment-agency.gov.uk for our opening times, packages prices and conference details.

Forecasting closures

The Environment Agency receives information on potential tidal surges from:

weather satellites

oil rigs

weather ships

coastal stations

They can forecast dangerous conditions up to 36 hours in advance. The barrier will close just after low tide, or about 4 hours before the peak of the incoming tide surge reaches the barrier.

Information comes from a range of mathematical computer models that forecast expected sea and river levels. This is supplemented by data from the Met Office and real-time information provided by the UK National Tidegauge Network. This hydrological and meteorological data is fed into the control room every minute from a wide network of tide and river pressure and wind gauges.

The decision to close, or not, is based on a combination of 3 major factors:

the height of the tide (usually a spring tide) measured at the Thames Estuary

the height of the tidal surge, which naturally accompanies each tide

the river flow entering the tidal Thames, measured as it passes over Teddington Weir

Find up to date data for river and sea levels at the Thames Estuary and Teddington Weir.

The barrier has no individual trigger level for closure. The closing process is guided by a mathematical matrix that considers the river flow, tide and surge at the time. The final decision for closure lies with the Thames Barrier Duty Controller.

How the Thames Barrier works

The Thames Barrier:

spans 520 metres across the River Thames near Woolwich

protects 125 square kilometres of central London from flooding caused by tidal surges

It has 10 steel gates that can be raised into position across the River Thames. When raised, the main gates stand as high as a 5 storey building and as wide as the opening of Tower Bridge. Each main gate weighs 3,300 tonnes.

The barrier is closed under storm surge conditions to protect London from flooding from the sea. It may also be closed during periods of high flow over Teddington Weir. This is to reduce the risk of river flooding in some areas of west London including Richmond and Twickenham.

The Thames Barrier will then remain closed over high water until the water level downstream of the Thames Barrier has reduced to the same level as upstream. This is a managed process to provide for different circumstances, and takes about 5 hours. The Thames Barrier is then opened, allowing the water upstream to flow out to sea with the outward bound tide.

You can watch a video that shows how the Thames Barrier works:

a video of how the Thames Barrier works

Thames Barrier closures

The Thames Barrier has been closed 215 times since it became operational in 1982 - correct as at 14 February 2024. Of these closures:

119 were to protect against tidal flooding

96 were to protect against combined tidal/fluvial flooding

Thames Barrier closures

If you have an enquiry about the Thames Barrier, or would like to receive a project pack, email: thamesbarrierenquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.

The future of the Thames Barrier

The Thames Estuary 2100 plan sets out how flood risk will be managed in the Thames estuary to the end of the century and beyond. It also recommends what actions the Environment Agency and others will need to take in the:

short term (the next 25 years)

medium term (the following 15 years)

long term (to the end of the century)

The plan is based on current guidance on climate change, but is adaptable to changes in predictions for sea level rise and climate change over the century.

More information can be found on the Thames Estuary 2100 page.

Visiting the Thames Barrier

The View and Information Centre (Thames Barrier Estate)

The Thames Barrier Information Centre is a small exhibition where you can learn about the construction of the Thames Barrier and how it works. There is a working model of the Thames Barrier and virtual technical tour along with other films and displays about flooding and the environment.

Each package has a personal guide for your group who will show you around the Thames Barrier Estate.

Our guides will cover topics including the history of the river and the risk of flooding in London, the environment and wildlife of the Thames.

Packages for group talk – available every day – need to book in advance:

Economic package – up to 15 people, all ages - £175.00

Child group talk – up to 30 children - £201.00

Child luxury group talk – with activities, up to 30 children - £225.00

Adult group talk – up to 30 people - £225.00

Technical presentation – over 16 years old, up to 30 people - £250.00

Note there is no access on to the Barrier.

If you would like to book one of our packages, send an email to thamesbarriertheview@environment-agency.gov.uk. Note we need at least a week to process any booking form, as our guides are available just when requested.

The Thames Barrier Information Centre will be open only on Saturdays from 6 April to 26 October 2024. There is no need to book in advance to visit it. The ticket can be bought at the entrance, from 10:30 to 15:30hours.

Tickets prices:

Adult: £6.00

Senior/Student: £5.50

Child: £4.80 – Child under 5 years old is free.

Disabled: £4.50

Family ticket: £16.00 (2 adults + up to 3 children)

Our outside toilets downstairs, disabled lift and car parks will continue to be open 7 days a week between 9am and 5pm.

For further enquiries, telephone 0208 305 4161 or email thamesbarriertheview@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Conference room hire

The Thames Barrier View Conference Centre also has rooms to hire that offers spectacular views of the Thames Barrier and River Thames. The rooms are light and spacious and offer various room layouts to suit all occasions:

conferences

meetings

receptions

workshops

wakes

For prices, e-mail us: thamesbarrierenquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Getting to the Thames Barrier

Rail

Charlton station is situated on Woolwich Road and is approximately a one mile walk from the Thames Barrier Site.

Woolwich Dockyard station is situated near Church Street and is within walking distance.

Woolwich Arsenal station is the most convenient station to take a taxi to the Barrier Site.

London Underground North Greenwich (Jubilee Line)

The station is approximately 2 miles from the Thames Barrier and only 5 minutes by taxi or bus (161 and 472).

Bus routes

Bus No’s 177 and 180 via Greenwich (stop at the top of Eastmoor Street). 161 and 472 from North Greenwich tube

station.

London City Airport

The City Airport is situated in North Woolwich only a short distance from the North Woolwich Ferry crossing.

Published 25 April 2014

Last updated 7 March 2024

+ show all updates

7 March 2024

Updated Barrier closure dates and when the Thames Barrier Information Centre will be opened between April and October 2024. Also updated ticket prices for individuals and group bookings.

27 April 2023

Removed the paragraph "Unfortunately, we are not able to offer a walk-in visit, However, you can visit the site, see the Barrier and there is plenty of information about the Barrier on the windows at The View" as they now offer walk-in visits again.

2 March 2023

New closure dates and admission prices for 2023

22 September 2022

Additional information added about the annual closure of the Barrier

25 August 2022

Information about test closures updated

16 May 2022

Updates to opening times, captions, visiting information, tour packages and contact details

13 April 2022

Barrier test dates updated

7 April 2022

Additional date added to list of test closures, contact phone numbers updated

22 February 2022

New barrier test-closure dates added 22/02/22

18 February 2022

Closure graph updated

18 February 2022

Closure dates and graphs updated

9 November 2021

Barrier closure information and graph updated 09/11/21

4 November 2021

Out-of-date graph showing Barrier closures by flood season replaced with latest graph 04/11/21

29 October 2021

Updated the barrier test dates and closure numbers.

6 October 2021

Day corrected for Nov 9 barrier closure

15 September 2021

Test closure and visiting information updated 14/09/21

21 July 2021

Update to opening times in 'Planned Tests of Thames Barrier 2021' section - past dates deleted, new dates added.

Email address corrected

21 June 2021

Barrier closure details updated and corresponding bar graph replaced with updated version. Explanation of what happens during annual closure removed temporarily pending finalisation of plans for September closure

7 May 2021

Out of date (April 21) barrier closure time deleted, reference to booking form for conference centre deleted along with booking form - 7/5/21

14 April 2021

Figures for number of barrier closures updated and up-to-date graph of same uploaded 13/04/21

7 April 2021

café details and opening information updated along with group visits information, out-of-date closure times deleted 07/04/21

29 January 2021

additional 2021 barrier closure times added 29/01/21

7 January 2021

Dates for forthcoming scheduled closures, number of times gates opened amended, reference to the annual test closure removed

29 September 2020

Additional information added to Annual Full Tide Test Closure section, detailing limitations resulting from coronavirus for the October 4 closure

Dates deleted for closures that have already taken place.

7 July 2020

Out-of-date link deleted 07/07/20

6 July 2020

Café and information centre opening times updated 6/07/20

25 June 2020

Barrier opening history updated 16/06/20

25 March 2020

Opening times for café and information centre updated 24/03/20

20 March 2020

Note about closure of café and information centre added 19/03/20

12 February 2020

New dates for forthcoming scheduled closures added 12/02/20

24 December 2019

Amendments to 2020 opening times added 24/12/19

13 December 2019

Opening times and contact email address updated 12/12/19

17 October 2019

Disabled access information updated 17/10/19

16 October 2019

Visitor centre information updated 16/10/19

8 October 2019

Note added 08/10/19 advising disabled lift to visitor centre out of order

29 September 2019

Updated to reflect that today's full test closure has been cancelled.

19 September 2019

Information updated 19/09/19

13 September 2019

Changes to opening times and test closures, additional information about full test closure added 30 August 2019.

Additional information about disabled lift not working added 04/09/19

Additional information and link added 13/09/19

Opening times and information about disabled lift added 06/09/19

7 August 2019

Update to disabled lift opening made 6 August 2019.

25 July 2019

New dates for test closures added 25 July 2019.

4 July 2019

Data uploaded 3 July 2019.

9 May 2019

Amendment to the disabled access information 9 May 2019.

9 May 2019

Updates to information Centre made 9 May 2019.

17 April 2019

Amendments made to opening times and group bookings section 17 April 2019.

28 March 2019

Updates to data and graphics made 27 March 2019.

28 February 2019

New graph and data uploaded 28 February 2019.

10 January 2019

Changes made 9 January 2019.

20 December 2018

New booking form uploaded 18 December 2018.

13 December 2018

New Booking Form uploaded 13 December 2018.

12 December 2018

Test closure cancelled for 13 December 2018.

29 November 2018

New opening times added on 20 November 2018.

30 October 2018

Update to closure dates made 29 October 2018.

8 October 2018

New information added 8 October 2018.

28 September 2018

Updates to information made 27 September 2018

7 September 2018

Information on disabled toilet added.

15 August 2018

Timings for the Thames Barrier annual closure added

31 July 2018

Additional test closure dates added 31 July 2018

21 June 2018

Disabled lift now working.

13 June 2018

Details on the opening of the new Cafe and Information Centre.

21 March 2018

New information for the Thames Barrier Information Center and Cafe.

16 February 2018

New dates for test closures added.

9 February 2018

Refurbishment of cafe delayed until June 2018.

1 February 2018

Numbers of closures updated.

8 January 2018

Two closures added to closure total.

29 November 2017

Correction to barrier closures.

8 November 2017

Information on the refurbishment of the Thames Barrier Information Centre and cafe.

10 October 2017

Data update 10 October 2017.

21 September 2017

Information about finding out if the Thames Barrier is closed via Floodline removed as service is no longer available.

15 September 2017

Thames Barrier Annual closure event information removed.

25 August 2017

New test closure dates, Cafe closing for refurbishment dates changed and warning to users of wheelchairs at the Annual Closure about access to river bank.

15 August 2017

Cafe opening at 9am on the Annual Closure day.

8 August 2017

Cafe opening times updated

2 August 2017

New information on Thames Barrier Annual Closure

7 June 2017

New times added for cafe and information centre.

2 June 2017

Taken out that the disabled lift is broken as now fixed.

25 April 2017

Information on disabled lift being out of order.

23 March 2017

New dates for Thames Barrier closures and group talks added

28 February 2017

Notice that the Information Centre will be closed between 30 October 2017 and 28 January 2018 for refurbishment.

27 January 2017

Updated opening times to cafe and Information Centre, new group talks dates added

20 January 2017

Tall ships dates and the 2017 Thames Barrier annual closure date added.

16 November 2016

Cafe opening times updated.

4 October 2016

Updated information on group talks

15 September 2016

New opening times added.

5 August 2016

New information added.

4 August 2016

November to March closure dates and information about the Open Day on 2nd October added.

1 July 2016

Updated closure dates.

27 May 2016

Special offers for Father's Day at the Information Centre.

29 April 2016

New group bookings added.

9 March 2016

New Thames Barrier Information Centre group talk dates, price list and booking form added.

3 March 2016

Notice of event at Information Centre.

8 February 2016

Annual closure times for 2016 added.

27 October 2015

Updated timetable for group talks.

15 October 2015

Visiting the Thames Barrier section has been updated.

22 September 2015

Details added about the annual closure.

22 September 2015

Details on the annual closure have been added.

8 September 2015

Updated closure times and group talk sessions.

28 July 2015

In summer 2015, the Information Centre is open 7 days a week during the school holidays.

12 June 2015

The test closure dates have been updated, and there is a new link to our .gov.uk blog posts.

15 May 2015

New information for group tours of the exhibition centre.

30 April 2015

New Barrier closure information.

17 February 2015

Updated planed closure dates

26 January 2015

Thames Barrier Information Centre prices from April 2015.

24 December 2014

Information on group talks added.

19 December 2014

Updated 'forecasting closures' section.

30 July 2014

Added new closure dates for 2015.

25 April 2014

First published.

Get emails about this page

Print this page

Contents

泰晤士河水闸_百度百科

水闸_百度百科网页新闻贴吧知道网盘图片视频地图文库资讯采购百科百度首页登录注册进入词条全站搜索帮助首页秒懂百科特色百科知识专题加入百科百科团队权威合作下载百科APP个人中心收藏查看我的收藏0有用+10泰晤士河水闸播报讨论上传视频1984年大伦敦市政府建造的水闸泰晤士水闸是为了阻止泰晤士河水位泛滥染指上游伦敦市中心，经过工程师反复讨论决定修建的。1974年大伦敦市政府开始兴建泰晤士河水闸。1984年5月8日，兴建10年之后当时耗资数亿英镑的泰晤士水闸终于建成，由女王亲自主持落成仪式。中文名泰晤士河水闸竣工时间1984年5月8日兴建时间1974年兴建单位大伦敦市政府修建目的为了阻止泰晤士河水位泛滥目录1水闸概况2特别设计3使用频率4相关介绍水闸概况播报编辑泰晤士河是伦敦的母亲河，也是这个国际大都市的标志。然而，历史上，河洪水涌进伦敦市中心是1928年的事情。泰晤士河水闸泰晤士河是伦敦的母亲河，也是这个国际大都市的标志。然而，历史上，泰晤士河却多次决堤泛滥，威胁到伦敦人的生命和财产安全。上一次泰晤士河洪水涌进伦敦市中心是1928年的事情，致使14人丧生。1953年北海大潮危及泰晤士河，引发的洪水夺去300多人的生命。泰晤士河水闸灾情如此严重，给人们敲响了警钟。为了阻止泰晤士河水位再次染指上游伦敦市中心，不断有工程师设计防洪大坝的草图，在反复的投稿与否决后，1974年大伦敦市政府开始兴建泰晤士河水闸。1984年5月8日，兴建10年之后当时耗资数亿英镑的泰晤士水闸终于建成，由女王亲自主持落成仪式。泰晤士水闸技术支持组组长SteveEast说：“不列颠岛最近的洪水和大雨让人们明白了极端天气的危险性。事实上，我们现用的模型已经是纳入各种不同因素导致的讯洪应用计算，其中包括天气状况，河流流程，还有已经知道的潮汐现象。即便把所有可能发生的最坏情节统计起来，我们的泰晤士河，引发的洪水夺去300多人的生命。灾情如此严重，给人们敲响了警钟。为了阻止泰晤士河水位再次染指上游伦敦市中心，不断有工程师设计防洪大坝的草图，在反复的投稿与否决后，1974年大伦敦市政府开始兴建泰晤士河水闸。1984年5月8日，兴建10年之后当时耗资数亿英镑的泰晤士水闸终于建成，由女王亲自主持落成仪式。泰晤士水闸技术支持组组长SteveEast说：“不列颠岛最近的洪水和大雨让人们明白了极端天气的危险性。事实上，我们现用的模型已经是纳入各种不同因素导致的讯洪应用计算，其中包括天气状况，河流流程，还有已经知道的潮汐现象。即便把所有可能发生的最坏情节统计起来，我们的计算加和在一起也不能得出一场能搞过泰晤士水闸顶部的浪潮。即使把最坏的洪水真的扔向它，我们现有的防御也可以及时应付。当然，我们会为未来做好计划，以确保保护措施的水准能在以后的几十年能维持。泰晤士水闸保护着中央伦敦125平方公里的面积----拥有一百二十五万人和价值八千亿英镑的基础设施。”特别设计播报编辑水闸修建在523米宽的河面上，由11座大型防水桥墩把泰晤士河分割成四个61米宽和两个31米宽的可以通船的河道，以及四个不能通船的河道。通过控制一个或多个河道之间的闸门可以减少朝向上游的水量。曾经饱受洪水困扰的伦敦人在过去的25年里受到了泰晤士河大型水闸的保护。然而，近年来全球气候变暖引发的恶劣天气出现频率提高，英国气象局表示，由于海平面的不断上升，泰晤士河水闸在未来的利用率将越来越多。英国气象局的希尔（AlexHill）表示，泰晤士河水闸在过去的25年内的使用率不断提高，这看起来已经是一种趋势。全球气候变化造成暴雨、水位上涨、海平面不断提高，这些威胁不断升级。水闸的作用就越来越重要。使用频率播报编辑据统计，早在1980年代，每年泰晤士河水闸都要被提高两、三次以应付直线上升的水位。而在2003年，这个数次是破纪录的19次，这跟近年来全球气候变暖的关系是密不可分的。英国环境署（EnvironmentalAgency）的马丁·摩尔（MartinMoore）说，1984年投入使用以来，泰晤士河水闸已经被用过107次，它对伦敦的作用至关重要。没有泰晤士河水闸的话，伦敦肯定会洪水泛滥。据估计，有六分之一的伦敦人生活在水灾的直接威胁下。如果伦敦真的遭遇洪水侵袭，那么泰晤士河水闸经济损失可能达到800亿英镑。环保组织认为，伦敦不能只靠泰晤士河水闸的保护，而是需要拿出实际行动来。英国环境署送给泰晤士河水闸‘世界第八大奇迹’的美称，并表示，它对伦敦的保护可以持续到2030年以后。环境署更启动了‘泰晤士河入海口2100专案’（ThamesEstuary2100），包括在网上面向社会广征方案，旨在强化泰晤士河水闸，更好地保护伦敦这座世界历史文化名城。但问题是，这一庞大工程造价非常的昂贵。看来，想要使伦敦免受洪水威胁还有很长的路要走。相关介绍播报编辑英国环境署 (Environment Agency) 就宣布为了因应全球暖化所带来的海平面上升的风险，避免泰晤士河水溢堤水淹轮敦地区，英国政府已经开启 Thames Estuary 2100 专案，投资 40亿英镑整修强化在 1982年完工启用的泰晤士河水闸 (Thames Barrier)，提升原本只能应付到 2030年的需求。泰晤士河水闸英国环境署预估 2080年泰晤士河的平均海平面将由目前的 26厘米上升至 86厘米，最糟的状况将可能上升 2米。届时，将有 125万的伦敦居民面对淹水的威胁，河岸边的伦敦市机场 (City Airport)和另外八座电厂都可能被淹水，总共约有 80亿英镑的房屋和建筑会泡水。Looking across the park towards the Thames BarrierThe Thames Barrier Park is a 22 acre park in London's docklands, named after its location on the north side of the River Thames next to the Thames Barrier. It is intended to aid the regeneration of the area by creating an attractive public space alongside residential and commercial developments. It is adjacent to Pontoon Dock DLR station.Alain Provost of Groupe Signes won the international competition to design the park in 1995. As the first largely post-modern design in London, the park has a fresh modern look with adventurous planting and dancing water fountains, though unfortunatly these are currently (summer 2007) fenced off and inoperable due to continued vandalism.新手上路成长任务编辑入门编辑规则本人编辑我有疑问内容质疑在线客服官方贴吧意见反馈投诉建议举报不良信息未通过词条申诉投诉侵权信息封禁查询与解封©2024 Baidu 使用百度前必读 | 百科协议 | 隐私政策 | 百度百科合作平台 | 京ICP证030173号京公网安备110000020000

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By Dr Elizabeth Bruton on 8 May 2017 The Thames Barrier: A guardian of the river and a product of mathematics

Thirty-three years since its official opening, Elizabeth Bruton considers how Thames Barrier is an outcome of mathematical modelling.Today marks thirty-three years since the official opening by the Queen of the Thames Barrier. Curator of Technology and Engineering Elizabeth Bruton considers how this distinctive London landmark is an outcome of mathematical modelling.

Guardians (Thames Barrier) by Phil Dolby (CC BY 2.0)

On this day, 8 May, in 1984, the £535-million Thames Barrier was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh. Construction of the impressive and unique flood control structure, which spans 520 metres across the river Thames at Woolwich Reach in East London, began a decade earlier in 1974.

The Thames Barrier is also one of London’s most striking and famous landmarks with its distinctive ten stainless steel piers first became operational in October 1982, 18 months before the official opening, and was first used in February 1983.

As explored in our exciting Mathematics Gallery, the architecture and design of the Thames Barrier was produced using elaborate mathematical modelling with this practical application of mathematics saving London from multiple tidal floods.

Model of a main pier of the Thames Barrier, scale 1:50, by D. Barrington-Holt: Science Museum 1984-625

This 1:50 scale model on display in the Mathematics gallery (shown above) was given to the Science Museum around the time of the official opening in 1984 shows the innovative and futuristic design and internal structure and workings of one of one of the ten stainless steel piers with gates which can be raised into position across the Thames to protect from flooding and are also raised monthly for testing. These working scale models – although not shown working while on display – provide a unique insight into the workings of the Thames Barrier and the tidal flow of the Thames estuary. Previously, engineering scale models (of which we have many fine examples in the Science Museum collections) have been used to provide a model for testing and understanding engineering, technology, and the infrastructure around us and how and whether they would work.

When raised, the main gates stand as high as a five-storey building and as wide as the opening of Tower Bridge. Each main gate weighs 3,300 tonnes. The barrier and gates were designed to be bomb-proof and failure-proof and, in the event of the failure of the National Grid, three backup generators could keep the barrier in operation for a month.

The origins of the Thames Barrier lie in two severe flooding events which severely impacted London and the rest of Britain in the early- and mid-twentieth century. In 1928, the Thames Flood killed 14 people and caused thousands of people to be made homeless. In early 1953, the North Sea Flood caused by a heavy storm led to severe flooding in the Netherlands, Belgium, England and Scotland with over 300 people killed and an estimated £50 million of damage (approximately £5 billion in today’s money) in Britain alone.

This fatal and severe storm and flooding led to a complete rethink of London’s flood strategy and defences which had previously consisted of building higher and stronger river walls and embankments. By the mid-1960s, a report by Sir Herman Bondi put forward a new solution which would now be realisable in part due to the changing patterns in commercial and cargo shipping use of the river Thames and the docklands: a flood barrier with movable gates built across the Thames.

The concept of the rotating gates was devised by (Reginald) Charles Draper and in 1969 he built a working model. Five years later in 1974, construction of the barrier began.

Thames Barrier by Jonas Bengtsson. (CC BY 2.0)

Today, the Thames Barrier protects 48 square miles of the greater London area from the severe dangers of tidal flooding, storm surges and rainfall swelling. Over a million people; over £200 billion worth of property and infrastructure; a substantial proportion of the London tube network; and many historic buildings, offices, power supplies, hospitals and schools are protected by this futuristic structure spanning the river Thames.

Without the Thames Barrier, the Houses of Parliament, the O2 arena, Tower Bridge and areas of Southwark, Beckton, West Ham, Whitechapel would all be submerged in flood water. Alternative flood prevention measures would require the Embankment to be increased in height to top of the Victorian lamp-posts along this part of the river Thames, denying people a view of the river Thames.

The Thames Barrier is the second largest flood defence barrier in the world after the Oosterscheldekering Barrier in the Netherlands, with both flood control structures being responses to the 1953 North Sea Flood. The Thames Barrier Information Centre, consisting of an exhibition featuring 10-minute video and a working scale model, as well as riverside walkways, a children’s play area and the Thames Barrier Café, is open to the general public with more information available here.

Dr Elizabeth Bruton

Dr Elizabeth Bruton was Curator of Technology and Engineering at the Science Museum. She has previously held roles at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre; the Museum of the History of Science, Oxford; and the University of Leeds. Interests include the history of communications, military history, museums, and archives. She also blogs at https://geekin9f.wordpress.com/Dr Elizabeth has written 10 postsCategorised Collections and Objects, Exhibitions and GalleriesTagged engineering, maths gallery, technology

2 comments on “The Thames Barrier: A guardian of the river and a product of mathematics”

Mary Wain says:

14 May 2017 at 12.00

Hi Liz

I was very disappointed not to manage to get to talk to you at the Cryptos meeting. I decided to google you and quickly discovered why I felt sure I knew you (though I haven’t met you) and also this very interesting blog. Living and working on a project situated on a part of the east coast seriously threatened by possible flooding and derilict sea defences I have become very interested in flood and sea defences.

May I say again what an excellent blog.

Mary Wain

Bawdsey Radar Trust

Pingback: Whewell’s Gazette: Year 3, Vol. #39 | Whewell's Ghost

Comments are closed.

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You are here: Things to Do > Thames Barrier Information Centre

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About

The Thames Barrier, one of the largest movable flood barriers in the world, spans 520 metres across the Thames, near Woolwich. Its ten, movable steel gates protect 125 square kilometres of central London from tidal-surge flooding. When raised, the 3300-tonne main gates stand as high as a five-storey building and as wide as the opening of Tower Bridge.

The Thames Barrier Information Centre is a small, informative exhibition about the past, present and future of this marvel of engineering and science. It explains the flood risk to London and the history and environment of the Thames. Visitors can see a working model of the Thames Barrier, a film on its construction, a virtual technical ‘tour’ and interactive displays.

Last entrance is 30 minutes before closing and pre-booked group talks are available 7 days a week.

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket TariffAdult£5.50 per ticketChild£4.30 per ticketDisabled£4.00 per ticketFamily (2 Adults + up to 3 Children)£15.00 per familyStudent / Senior£5.00 per ticket* Children under ages 5 go FREE with a paying adult.

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Map & DirectionsMap Link

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Road Directions

Bus nos. 177 and 180 via Greenwich (stop at the top of Eastmoor Street).

Bus nos. 161 and 472 from North Greenwich tube station.

Public Transport Directions

Rail

Charlton station is situated on Woolwich Road and is approximately a one mile walk from the Thames Barrier Site. Woolwich Dockyard station is situated near Church Street and is within walking distance. Woolwich Arsenal station is the most convenient station to take a taxi to the Barrier Site.

London Underground North Greenwich (Jubilee Line)

The station is approximately 2 miles from the Thames Barrier and only 5 minutes by taxi or bus (161 & 472).

London City Airport

The City Airport is situated in North Woolwich only a short distance from the North Woolwich Ferry crossing.

Video

How the Thames Barrier protects London from flooding

Thames Barrier Information Centre

Type:Sightseeing Attraction

1 Unity Way, Woolwich, London, SE18 5NJ

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Call direct on:Tel+44 (0)20 8305 4161

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Opening Times

Opening Hours: (1 Apr 2023 - 28 Oct 2023)

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Saturday10:30 - 17:30

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Managing future flood risk and Thames Barrier: Thames Estuary 2100 - GOV.UK

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Managing future flood risk and Thames Barrier: Thames Estuary 2100

How the Environment Agency and its partners will maintain and upgrade flood defences in the Thames Estuary to adapt to rising sea levels.

From:

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Environment Agency

Published

19 April 2023

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Applies to England

Contents

Types of flood risk

How the estuary’s flood defence system works

Upgrading the flood defences

Options for adapting to sea level rise

Choosing an option

Deadlines for upgrading defences

Securing land

Defining flood risk management policies

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Over the coming decades, climate change will make average sea levels rise. High tides will be higher and storm tides bigger and more frequent. This will increase the risk of water going over the estuary’s tidal flood defences (overtopping).

Thames Estuary 2100 (TE2100) is adapting the estuary to these changes. This work started in 2012 and is continuing.

The Environment Agency and our partners will maintain the flood defence system to keep it in good condition while it provides the required standard of protection.

At the same time, we need to prepare to upgrade the tidal defences in phases throughout the rest of this century. Find out how we are taking a riverside strategy approach to upgrading flood defences.

Types of flood risk

Thames Estuary 2100 manages all types of tidal flood risk.

The Thames Estuary is at risk of flooding from:

high tides

storm tides

heavy rainfall

High tides happen twice a day. They are a result of the force of gravity from the Moon and the Sun, and the rotation of the Earth.

A storm tide happens when there is a storm in the North Sea. High winds and changes in atmospheric pressure can cause extremely high water levels, making tides much higher than usual.

Heavy rainfall can cause surface water flooding, fluvial flooding and groundwater flooding. It can increase tidal flood risk in the estuary.

How the estuary’s flood defence system works

Map showing 80 kilometres (km) of the Thames Estuary from Twickenham in the west to Southend-on-Sea and Sheerness in the east. It shows tidal flood defences along the estuary and who is responsible for maintaining them. The Thames Barrier is shown at Woolwich. Third-party maintained defences are mostly west of the barrier. Environment Agency maintained defences are mostly east of the barrier.

A network of tidal flood defences provides a very high standard of protection in the Thames Estuary. The network includes:

330 kilometres (km) of walls and embankments

9 major barriers and gates, including the Thames Barrier

over 400 other structures (including flood gates, outfalls and pumps)

The Thames Barrier is on the River Thames just downstream (east) of the Isle of Dogs in east London. The walls and embankments work in different ways upstream (west) or downstream of the Thames Barrier.

Upstream of the Thames Barrier, the walls and embankments protect against daily high tides. The Thames Barrier protects these areas against storm tides.

Downstream of the Thames Barrier, the walls and embankments are higher than upstream to protect against high tides and storm tides. The Thames Barrier does not protect these areas from flooding.

The Environment Agency closes the Thames Barrier when water levels are forecast to overtop the walls or embankments upstream. This happens when:

a high tide is predicted to be particularly high

a storm tide is expected

Closing the barrier stops the high tide from moving upstream. This prevents it from overtopping the walls and embankments and causing flooding.

The lower sections of the rivers that flow into the Thames (the tributaries) are affected by the tide. There are major barriers on some of them, including:

the River Roding in Barking, east London

the River Darent in Dartford

the creeks around Canvey Island in Essex

Walls and embankments protect against daily high tides upstream of these barriers. When tides are forecast to overtop them, the barriers are closed.

Upgrading the flood defences

The network of defences was designed in the 20th century for the water levels that we expected then. We have invested in them so that they still give the standard of protection that we need today. But we need to upgrade them, ready to face higher sea levels later in the 21st century.

We have identified required heights for all the defences in each phase of Thames Estuary 2100. Some defences may already be at the required height above sea level, but we will need to raise others.

Thames Barrier closures and upgrading the upstream defences

The Environment Agency needs to maintain the Thames Barrier to make sure it is reliable and can close when it is needed. But closing it too frequently means it may become less reliable, because it cannot be maintained to the required standards.

Frequent closures would also affect water quality upstream and cause problems for ships navigating the river.

As sea levels rise, the barrier will be closed more and more often for daily high tides.

Raising upstream defences will allow us to let higher tides upriver, reducing the number of times the barrier needs to close. This will mean that it can still be maintained effectively.

Options for adapting to sea level rise

There are 7 end-of-century options for the future of the flood defence system. We will carry out the chosen option together with the other defence upgrades. A decision will be made on the end-of-century option by 2040.

Upgrade the Thames Barrier

This option involves improving the existing Thames Barrier so that it can manage higher storm tides.

Flood storage and upgrade the Thames Barrier

This option involves creating 4 tidal flood storage areas at:

Erith Marshes

Aveley and Wennington Marshes

Dartford and Crayford Marshes

Shorne and Higham Marshes

These areas would store flood water, reducing the level of storm tides. This would mean that the Thames Barrier would still be able to keep out storm tides and we would upgrade it at a later date.

New barrier with a single set of gates in Gravesend Reach

This option involves building a new barrier within Gravesend Reach, downstream of the existing Thames Barrier site. The new barrier would have a single set of gates, like the existing Thames Barrier. This location has a straight approach of 1km, so ships could align themselves to pass through the barrier.

New barrier with a single set of gates in Long Reach

This option involves building a new barrier in Long Reach, downstream of the existing Thames Barrier site. The new barrier would have a single set of gates, like the existing Thames Barrier. This location has a straight approach of 1km, so ships could align themselves to pass through the barrier.

New barrier with second set of gates and locks in Gravesend Reach

This option involves building a new barrier, with 2 sets of gates and a set of locks in Gravesend Reach. The barrier gates would be closed to keep out many high tides as well as storm tides. A second set of gates would provide greater reliability. For example, they could be used when the first set is being maintained.

Locks would allow boats to pass through the barrier when it’s closed.

New barrier with second set of gates and locks in Long Reach

This option involves building a new barrier, with 2 sets of gates and a set of locks in Long Reach. The barrier gates would be closed to keep out many high tides as well as storm tides. A second set of gates would provide greater reliability. For example, they could be used when the first set is being maintained.

Locks would allow boats to pass through the barrier when it’s closed.

Convert existing Thames Barrier by adding second set of gates and locks

This option involves adding a second set of gates and a set of locks to the existing Thames Barrier. The barrier gates would be closed to keep out many high tides as well as storm tides. A second set of gates would provide greater reliability. For example, they could be used when the first set is being maintained.

Locks would allow boats to pass through the barrier during closures.

Map showing a 34km area of the Thames Estuary from Greenwich in the west to East Tilbury in the east. It shows 3 potential locations for a future barrier and 4 potential flood storage areas.

Choosing an option

We’ll decide on the options by 2040. The decision will be based on:

the balance of costs and benefits

an assessment of environmental impacts

other changes in the estuary that affect the possible locations

technical considerations

The balance of costs and benefits is very similar between 4 of the options:

upgrade the existing Thames Barrier

flood storage and upgrade the existing Thames Barrier

new barrier with a single set of gates in Gravesend Reach

new barrier with a single set of gates in Long Reach

Our investigations into the flood storage option indicate that flood forecasting would need to be more reliable to make this option work. This is something we will look into further before deciding on an option.

Barriers with a second set of gates and locks are more expensive to build and cannot be justified given current sea level rise projections. They would also have more significant impacts on the environment, water quality and navigation. But we ultimately expect to need a barrier with a second set of gates and locks by 2120, regardless of which option we select by 2040.

We will continue to assess the costs and benefits of the options in more detail in order to reach our final decision.

Deadlines for upgrading defences

We’ve based the deadlines to complete the upgrades on the latest climate change projections and the rate of sea level rise. If the projections change, we may need to set earlier deadlines. The heights that defences need to be raised to will not change, even if the deadlines move.

The Environment Agency, flood defence owners, landowners and councils will need to work together to ensure that we all meet these deadlines.

Defences will be raised in stages, because upgrading defences:

is expensive

affects the environment

may have a negative visual impact

depends on how fast sea levels are rising

2040: deadline for completing first stage of downstream defence upgrades

This is when we expect the defences downstream of the Thames Barrier will stop giving the required standard of protection against storm tides. The required height for some downstream defences will be around 30 to 60 centimetres (cm) higher than it is now, depending on location.

2040: deadline for choosing end-of-century option for adapting to sea level rise

The option that we choose will need to be operating by 2070. Detailed design and construction takes many years, so we need to decide by 2040.

2050: deadline for completing the first stage of upstream defence upgrades

This is when some upstream defences will need to be around 50cm higher to continue to protect against regular high tides.

2070: deadline for end-of-century option to be operating.

This is when we expect the existing Thames Barrier to stop providing the required protection against storm tides. So we will need to have the end-of-century option in place.

2070: deadline for completing second stage of downstream defence upgrades

Downstream defences will need to be upgraded again, by about 100cm to 150cm further (depending on location) to continue to defend against storm tides.

2090: deadline for completing second stage of upstream defence upgrades

Upstream defences will need to be upgraded again. Some will need to be a further 50cm higher, to continue to defend against regular high tides.

2120: deadline for barrier with second set of gates and locks to be operating

Another stage of upgrades to the upstream defences would change the riverside environment too much. Instead, a barrier with locks will be needed to keep out many high tides as well as storm tides.

The barrier gates will need to be closed much more frequently. Eventually they may be needed on every high tide. So locks will allow boats to pass through the barrier during closures. A second set of gates will provide greater reliability. For example, they can be used when the first set is being maintained.

During the 21st century we must take one of the following actions, depending on which option is already in place:

add a second set of gates and locks to the new barrier in Gravesend Reach

add a second set of gates and locks to the new barrier in Long Reach

make further improvements to the existing Thames Barrier, then convert it and add a second set of gates and locks

Finally, at a much later date, it may be necessary to convert the barrier to a barrage. A barrage would always be closed so it would exclude the tide altogether. It would have locks to allow boats and ships to pass through it.

A timeline showing activities planned between 2023 and 2100. These include maintaining and adapting the existing flood defence system, and raising defences. The timeline shows 4 options for the future of the Thames Barrier. We need to decide on one by 2040 and implement it by 2070.

Securing land

Some parts of tidal barriers are on land as well as in the river. If we decide to build a new tidal barrier on the Thames, we will need land in either Gravesend Reach or Long Reach. We do not yet know exactly where this land will be needed. The amount of land will depend on the design of the barrier.

The demand for land in the Thames Estuary is very high, and land use planning processes take a long time. We will need to get the right to the land in time to build a new barrier by the deadline of 2070. Until we choose an option, we will need the right to land for all of them. We call this ‘securing land’.

We will need to secure land for flood storage, as well as the other options. Land will need to be secured elsewhere, across the estuary, for all the other defence upgrades. This will need to include land for riverside and habitat improvements too. To find out more about how we’re planning to do this, read outcome 12: securing land for Thames Estuary 2100.

Defining flood risk management policies

Map showing the 80km Thames Estuary area from Twickenham in the west to Southend-on-Sea and Sheerness in the east. It shows where the flood risk policies P3, P4 and P5 apply. P3 applies to Twickenham, Richmond and the outer estuary. P4 applies from Thamesmead to Tilbury, Canvey Island, Southend-on-Sea and the Isle of Grain. P5 applies to central London from Hammersmith to Greenwich.

Thames Estuary 2100 sets flood risk management policies for each area of the estuary. The policies outline how we should manage that area’s tidal defences as sea levels rise.

They range from policy 3 (P3) to policy 5 (P5), and are based on social, economic and environmental factors.

Policies help target Thames Estuary 2100 investment to the areas that need it the most.

Some landowners may wish to give their property a higher level of flood risk protection than the policy we have set. They have the right to invest and manage their flood risk in consultation with the Environment Agency and other risk management authorities.

The policies are:

Policy 5 (P5) – take further action to reduce the risk of flooding

Policy 4 (P4) – take further action to keep up with climate and land use change so that flood risk does not increase

Policy 3 (P3) – take action to maintain flood defences at their current level, accepting that the flood risk will increase

Where the policies apply

We have divided the estuary into 23 areas called policy units and given each unit a flood risk management policy based on local factors.

Find out more about the policy units and their flood risk management policy on our interactive Thames Estuary 2100 map

P5 and P4 areas

The majority of areas upstream (west) of the Thames Barrier, on both banks of the river, have P5 policies.

The majority of areas downstream (east) of the Thames Barrier, on both banks of the river, have P4 policies.

The Environment Agency, councils and landowners are working to identify defence upgrades required in P5 and P4 areas, to prepare for sea level rise.

P3 areas

The P3 areas in the outer estuary are mostly made up of marshes. Here, major investment in upgrading flood defences would not represent good value for public money because it would benefit very few properties as there is little property affected. As storm events become more frequent and sea level continues to rise over the course of the century, flooding will occur more often in these areas.

There are exceptions where some flood defences within these areas will be upgraded, because they protect major infrastructure like roads or railways.

There are also P3 areas in west London. Flood risk will increase in these areas when the Environment Agency stops using the Thames Barrier to manage smaller river (fluvial) floods. However, in these areas we will work with communities to put alternative measures in place to manage flood risk. Read outcome 4: maintaining the Thames Barrier until 2070 for more information.

In P3 areas, risk management authorities and communities must work together to increase local resilience. This could include creating emergency flood plans, raising awareness of what to do in a flood, and making properties more resilient.

Published 19 April 2023

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Guidance

Major updates to Thames Estuary 2100 from 2012 to 2023

The major changes to the Thames Estuary 2100 (TE2100) Plan since it was last published in 2012.

From:

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Environment Agency

Published

19 April 2023

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Applies to England

Contents

Adapting the flood defence system

The future of the Thames Barrier from 2070 (end-of-century options)

Putting benefits at the heart of Thames Estuary 2100

Clarifying roles and responsibilities

Focusing on sustainability

Building community resilience in the Thames Estuary

Changes to the terminology and structure of this Plan

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The Environment Agency has completed the first full review and update of this Plan. Based on our evidence we have:

brought forward the deadline for adapting flood defences upstream (west) of the Thames Barrier by 15 years to 2050

confirmed that all options for replacing the Thames Barrier (end-of-century options) should remain open until a decision is made

brought forward the deadline for deciding on an end-of-century option from 2050 to 2040

As part of the update to this Plan, based on feedback from users and our partners, we have:

put benefits at the heart of Thames Estuary 2100 (TE2100)

clarified the roles and responsibilities of those implementing it

set stronger ambitions on sustainability and resilience

changed the terminology and structure

Adapting the flood defence system

We need to upgrade defences upstream (west) of the Thames Barrier by 2050 instead of 2065.

The deadline for defence upgrades downstream (east) of the Thames Barrier remains 2040.

We have increased the time needed for planning defence upgrades downstream of the Thames Barrier from 5 years to between 10 and 15 years. Partners have asked the Environment Agency to set out the steps needed to raise defences. We will be developing a plan for raising these, as set out in Outcome 2: improving fixed flood defences.

We have also set a deadline of 2030 for creating riverside strategies. Riverside strategy visions should be an integral part of statutory local planning.

The future of the Thames Barrier from 2070 (end-of-century options)

Originally, 2 options were identified as most favourable:

to upgrade the existing Thames Barrier at Woolwich

to build a new barrier at Long Reach

Our economic case review found that the costs and benefits of all options are now much closer together economically. Therefore, all options will continue to remain open until a decision is made by 2040. This includes flood storage and a new barrier at Gravesend Reach (Tilbury). We will reassess all options by 2030.

The selected end-of-century option needs to be in place and operational by 2070 based on current projections. We have changed the deadline for deciding on the final option from 2050 to 2040. This allows enough time for planning and approval before construction begins.

Find out more about managing future flood risk and the Thames Barrier.

Putting benefits at the heart of Thames Estuary 2100

We originally focused on the benefits of managing tidal flood risk. Since then, we have worked with partners to agree the wider range of environmental, social, and economic benefits we can create together by reshaping riversides.

Read about how we can produce these benefits through the riverside strategy approach.

Clarifying roles and responsibilities

The success of Thames Estuary 2100 depends on working together. The Environment Agency cannot do this alone. We must work with landowners, risk management authorities and others to reduce the impact of climate change on the estuary.

Our partners have told us that roles and responsibilities need to be clearer. In response we have made it clear who needs to deliver the outcomes. We will work with partners to agree how we will achieve these and set out the actions in outcome delivery plans.

Find out more about roles and responsibilities.

Focusing on sustainability

We now put a greater focus on sustainability. We want to:

restore ecosystems

reduce carbon

work towards environmental and biodiversity net gain

Find out more about how we’re working towards sustainability.

We have reviewed and corrected the projected intertidal habitat loss from 1200 hectares by 2105 to 598 hectares.

Find out more about this in our 10-year review monitoring report.

Building community resilience in the Thames Estuary

We are focusing more on helping some outer estuary communities become more resilient to the risk of flooding. This is because we expect flood risk to increase in some outer estuary areas over time due to climate change. This is what we call a P3 flood risk policy.

We have set out steps for planning how we manage this increased risk in Outcome 6: managing flood risk from all sources.

Changes to the terminology and structure of this Plan

Based on feedback from users, we have made the following changes:

removed action zones – which grouped together policy units

changed objectives to aims

reduced the number of aims from 5 to 3

replaced the key recommendations with strategic objectives

replaced action zone recommendations with outcomes – which are split into outcomes for the whole estuary and those for specific locations

replaced implementation plans with outcome delivery plans

Published 19 April 2023

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Contents

The Hidden Secrets of the Thames Barrier — London x London

Hidden Secrets of the Thames Barrier — London x London Skip to Content Search Magnifying Glass Search for: Close Search × HomeAreasDoEatDrinkCultureHistoryLondon Travel TipsStayAbout Us Posted on 18th October 2021 Categories London History By: Author Julianna BarnabyThe Hidden Secrets of the Thames BarrierLove This? Save and Share!ShareTweetPinEmailYou might have seen pictures of the Thames Barrier – London’s series of protective flood barriers that stretch across the Thames from Woolwich to Newham – but how much do you really know about them? Discover the story behind this iconic London dam. London’s tale stretches back through time. Officially established during Roman times, and inhabited by native Britons long before that, the banks of the Thames on which London sits have always been a mixed blessing. The city is built around the ThamesWhile it creates a fertile plain and provides easy access to the sea which the river feeds, the Thames has been prone to inconvenient and destructive flooding for millennia. As a tidal river, storms and tidal surges in the North Sea are the sources of potential calamity for the millions of Londoners living within a kilometre of the river. The Thames has flooded frequently throughout the city’s history, causing death and damage when it did. That was, until the late 20th century when Londoners finally said enough was enough, and came up with a solution that would hopefully solve the problem for good. That solution? The Thames Barrier. Read on to discover the wonders and secrets of London’s flood barrier. The History of the Thames BarrierLondon and the ThamesMany major cities are built next to major rivers and London is no exception. Rivers provide fertile land and plentiful fishing opportunities. Perhaps most importantly, rivers are essential for travel, whether that be the movement of trade and cargo or the launching of military expeditions abroad. The River in RichmondThanks to its proximity to the sea, the River Thames is one of the deepest major rivers in Europe. This allowed larger ships to travel into the heart of London than were able to reach almost any other European capital. However, it came at a major cost – the constant threat of the river overflowing and the frequent washing of the old wooden houses of London away.As the city modernised, flooding in London remained a perennial problem. From the diary of Samuel Pepys, to the fiction of Charles Dickens, the constant fear of the Thames’ banks bursting was as much a part of London’s culture as double decker buses and red post boxes. Much of the 20th century saw particularly brutal floods – in 1928, much of the East End was flooded and hundreds killed in the east of England.Why? The Thames is a tidal river, prone to extraordinary surges in water level, especially during storms. After further major flooding hit London in 1953, it was decided that a serious flood defence was needed to prevent such serious suffering hitting Britain’s capital ever again.Plans for London’s Flood Barrier Over the course of a decade, various plans were considered and responsibility for the project was prone to shift from one government body to another. Eventually, the independent evaluator Sir Hermann Bondi made the final judgment that the costs of a barrier were likely to be far less than the costs of continued flooding.Planners assessed that the potential damage from a storm amounted to over £2 billion in 1966 (equivalent to £50 billion in 2021!). Again taking inflation into account, the eventual cost of the Thames Barrier only ended up being £1.6 billion in today’s money. Designing the Thames BarrierInspired by a gas cookerWe have Charles Draper to thank for the design that was eventually implemented. Inspired by his parent’s home – their gas cooker in fact – he designed the rising sector gates which would come to protect the city from flooding. After testing the barriers at the Hydraulics Research Station, construction commenced in 1974.Incredibly, the barriers were constructed far away from London – over 200 miles away, in Darlington and at Port Clarence on the River Tees. They were then transported the length of England, and officially opened a decade after construction began – on the 8th May 1984.The Life of the Barrier The Barrier has had several close calls in its time. The most spectacular of these came in 1997. The dredging ship MV Sand Kite collided with one of the Barrier’s piers when sailing in thick fog. The ship began to sink, and as she did so she released 3,300 tonnes of matter from the ocean floor. That weighs as much as 825 elephants! All the muck, dust and gravel meant that the gate could not be closed for several days, and the protective paint coating on the rim of the Barrier had been scraped off. It is, however, quite reassuring to note that when a ship crashes into the Barrier, it is the Barrier which comes off the better!How Does the Thames Barrier Work?The Thames Barrier sits over a stretch of river 520m wide, between Woolwich south of the river and Newham to the north. This location was chosen primarily because the banks are parallel to one another, and the chalk river bed is secure enough to support the weight of the barrier. The gates divide the river into four sections, and are themselves circular, rotating into a raised position, whilst the gates are hollow inside. This allows the gates to be more dynamic in collecting and dispersing water. Each gate is 20.1m high and weighs 3,700 tonnes.Opening and Closing the Barriers The barrier is open most of the time. It’s closed when high tides are forecast in the North Sea and the river flows are high at the tidal limit at Teddington weir – 21 miles or so down the river in West London.9 hours or so before a dangerous high tide is forecast, closure begins. River traffic is halted, subsidiary gates along the Thames Tideway are closed and other river users are alerted. Once river navigation has stopped, then the main barrier itself can be closed.The barriers are also able to hold water as a reservoir to deal with the effects of heavy rain (and therefore potential flooding) in the west of London. Around a third of closures are primarily to deal with ‘river flooding’ coming from the west, rather than ‘tidal flooding’ coming from the east.The barrier can be entirely open, when water runs freely down the river as though the barrier wasn’t in place at all. It can be entirely closed, holding water from flowing downstream entirely. It also has a third setting – the ‘underspill position’ – which allows some but not all water to pass through its gates.Facts About the Thames Barrier It’s the World’s Second Largest Flood Defence Barrier Such an extraordinary structure carries with it some quite remarkable facts and figures. To start, it is the second largest flood defence barrier in the world, dwarfed only by the Oosterscheldekering Barrier in the Netherlands.The Number of Closures are Increasing Thames Barrier closures have been increasing. The Barrier was designed and built at a time before the effects of climate change on future sea level rise were popularly accepted. Where the 1980s saw only 4 closures in 6 years, the 2010s saw an average of between 6 and 7 each year. It is worth noting, however, that this data is somewhat skewed by an extraordinarily wet 2013 in which the Barrier was closed more than 50 times! Without the Barrier, the consequences of this extreme weather would be far more severe.Without the Barrier, Parts of London Would be in Real TroubleMany predictive models have been made to track the potential consequences of climate change on London, but there is no doubt that many iconic areas – Whitechapel and many parts of the financial district, for instance – would be victims of regular flooding or entirely swallowed by the river without the Barrier to defend them.It’s Not Going to Protect London Forever Even in spite of the higher than predicted level of sea rise, the Barrier could last until around 2060-70. However, the Barrier will become somewhat less effective with time. That means that even though London has been safe from floods for the past forty years, we may need to seek alternatives if we want to keep the city safe. At the moment, however, the Barrier is thought to be a successful defence against all but the most severe, once in a thousand year mega tides.We’re Already Looking at Alternative Flood Barriers to Protect LondonAcademics are already looking into such alternatives. One proposal involves building a far more ambitious project upstream, between Sheerness in Kent and Southend in Essex. This barrier would be a whopping 10 miles long. That’s almost twenty times the size of the Thames Barrier! This would be the largest flooding defence ever created, as well as the largest single cross river man made structure ever made.And Some of Them Are Quite Drastic Imagine three metre high walls along the banksAlmost as extraordinary as this barrier are some of the other alternatives. One suggestion is to replace the barrier with flood walls along the river, but this has a few problems – one being that these walls would have to be “as high as the Victorian streetlamps” (according to a report made by the Greater London Authority in 2002). That’s almost three metres of wall running along the entire river! It’s hard to imagine London without the incredible visuals of the iconic Thames, but that is exactly what a world without the Thames Barrier would be like.Sometimes Ships Try to Sneak Through the Thames Barrier Whilst major cargo ships no longer travel up the Thames, instead docking at ports on the south coast like Dover or those on the east like Felixstowe, the Thames is still an incredibly busy waterway. Over 5,000 ships pass through the barrier every year, and the co-ordination of these vessels with the main barrier, secondary barriers downstream and a huge range of tidal information is a serious job indeed. Around four ships per year attempt to pass through the Barrier without seeking proper accreditation – which must cause a serious headache for the staff manning the controls!It Has Saved Over a Million People From Being Affected by Flooding An estimated 1.25 million people are saved from being directly affected by flooding thanks to the Barrier, not to mention the millions more who commute into or otherwise use the space that would be flooded. Approximately 48 square miles of London are being protected by the Barrier.There are Tunnels Running Underneath the Thames Barrier Beneath the Thames Barrier, there is a warren of tunnels which are for maintenance purposes. It’s said that you can hear ships passing overhead.The Thames Barrier has Outlasted Most of the Organisations Originally in Charge of itThe Barrier has outlasted several of the organisations meant to be in charge of it. It was originally operated by the Greater London Council, but that was dissolved and so control of the Barrier passed into the hands of the Thames Water Authority. It has since been in the hands of the National Rivers Authority, and is now controlled by the Environmental Agency. Quite the game of pass the parcel!It’s Become a London Icon The Barrier has become a prominent structure in British popular culture, along such icons as Big Ben, the London Eye and the Millennium Dome. From its appearances in sci-fi TV show Doctor Who, to an appearance in the globally popular British car show Top Gear, to a music video for British boy band Take That, the Barrier is now a well-loved piece of London history as well as the city’s protector. There are Proposals to Build a Bridge Next to the Barrier Recently, there have been proposals made for a pedestrian and cycling bridge next to the barrier, as one of the only places in East London where such a bridge would be possible. This is touted as greatly improving transportation options for those who reside in east London. Practical Information and Map for Visiting the Thames Barrier The Thames Barrier structure itself can’t be entered. However, the Thames Barrier has a nearby information visitor centre, which features riverside walkways, informative videos and a café. You can also see the barrier from a Thames boat tour or speedboat ride, or from the nearby Thames Barrier Park which features fountains, a sunken garden, a playground and picnic areas.Address1 Unity Way, London SE18 5NJ, UKThames Barrier Visitor Centre Opening TimesIn April, May, June, July, August and September,Opens at 10.30 am and closes at 4.00 pm everyday (the latest time you can arrive to look around is 3.45 pm)In October, November, December, January, February and March,Opens at 10.30 am and closes at 3.30 pm everyday (the latest time you can arrive to look around is 3.15 pm)Map Looking for More Unusual London Guides?Check these out…Unusual London BookRead Now Discover the Secrets of Nunhead CemeteryRead Now Holly Village – Hampstead’s Neo Gothic DreamRead Now Tags TagsWoolwich PreviousFatt Pundit: A Celebration of Indo-Chinese Food in the Heart of Covent Garden NextSushi on Jones Review: Dining at Londonâ€™s New Intimate Omakase Restaurant LET'S GET SOCIAL!FacebookPinterestInstagramAbout UsLondon x London is the insider’s guide to discovering the best of London.We delve into the cool, interesting and quirky spots that make London such a dynamic city, telling you the best things to do, eat and drink along the way. Tired of the same old dull suggestions? Want to know where to find London’s secret bars, tastiest eats and weirdest finds? We provide practical guides that help you do just that.Find Out MoreRecently Published Eltham Palace: Discovering South London’s Gorgeous Art Deco Secret Staying At: The Laslett, Notting Hill Review Carreras Cigarette Factory: A Curious Reminder of London’s Egyptian Art Deco CrazeAbout UsAdvertisements & PartnershipsPrivacy PolicyNewsletterJOIN THE CONVERSATION ON INSTAGRAM Discover The Best Of London* indicates required Email Address * First Name Copyright © 2024 London x London

Thames Barrier - City of London

es Barrier - City of London JavaScript is turned off in your web browser.Turn it on to take full advantage of this site, then refresh the page.Skip to contentThings to doServicesSupporting businessesVisit homepageOpen search areaOpen menuGetting help with the cost of livingContact the City CorporationAbout usEventsAccessibility statementCouncillors, committees and meetingsReport, Pay, ApplyOpen search areaThings to doHistory and heritageLondon Metropolitan ArchivesLMA CollectionsThames BarrierThames BarrierGo to FacebookGo to TwitterGo to LinkedInGo to MailDate updated: 19/05/2022Introduction to London's Grand Designs

London is home to some of the world's most striking architecture and innovative engineering. Whether driven by divine purpose or the needs of a growing population, the grand designs of architects and engineers have shaped the identity of the city and the lives of Londoners. This regular series delves into the historical collections at LMA to present drawings and photographs that record the development of some of London’s greatest buildings and structures. The projects cover a wide variety of aspects of life in the capital, from worship to entertainment, transport to housing, and all add to the story of the developing city. Many are still present today, but others have not survived the passage of time and exist only in memory and archives.

Thames Barrier

Constructed by the Greater London Council (GLC) and operated today by the Environment Agency, the Thames Barrier is one of the largest movable flood barriers in the world. Michael Melia describes its construction.

Prior to the development of the barrier, London lacked protection from tidal and fluvial (river) flooding. The solution was to build embankments and higher river walls, but floods in 1928 and 1953 led to the development of proposals to raise the height of bank levels and install a barrier with movable gates. The 1972 Thames Barrier Act and Flood Protection Act followed and the GLC set to work.

Consisting of seven piers covered by stainless steel roof shells, ten steel gates and two additional piers, the new barrier was devised by Rendel, Palmer and Tritton, and construction started in 1974. The concept for the barrier's rising gates, which rotate up in a circular motion to close, was developed by (Reginald) Charles Draper; the iconic roof shells were designed in the Architect's Department of the GLC.

The gates, each of which are 19 metres high and weigh 3300 tonnes, divide the river into six navigable spans, four of 61metres (200 feet), and two of approximately 30 metres (100 feet). The barrier was designed to be solid, durable (serving London until at least 2030), failure proof and bomb proof. It has so far survived 12 collisions with ships without sustaining any serious damage.

The barrier became operational in 1982 and its 520 metre (1706 feet) span across the river continues to protect 125 square kilometres of the capital from flooding today. The gates are closed during storm surge conditions to safeguard against flooding from the sea and during periods of high flow over Teddington Weir to reduce the risk of fluvial flooding in areas of west London.

A brief look of a working Thames Barrier model, can be found in the Flood Prevention and Pollution video on the London Picture Archive.Related linksLondon's Grand DesignsM25 motorwaySenate HouseRoyal Festival HallThe MonumentBattersea Power StationRanelagh GardensThe Regent's Canal at 200Boundary EstateOlympia Exhibition CentreWest India DockVisit homepage© City of London Corporation 2024 About this website About this websiteCookiesLegal NoticesPrivacy NoticeModern Slavery Statement Additional links Additional linksConsultationsFeedbackInteractive mapsShopThe Global CityClimate action Jobs JobsGo to JobsEntry level talentRolesSearch & ApplyWho we areWorking here News and media News and mediaGo to News and mediaFilmingMedia librarySocial MediaeShotSafe spaces onlineDomestic abuse support© City of London Corporation 2024Visit homepageFacebookTwitter© City of London Corporation 2024

The Thames Barrier – A Brief History - Protecting London From the Sea - Londontopia

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