Remembering when the Thames TidalFlood Barrier was built on the riverThames at Woolwich and became operational in 1982

By Ken Hayes Life member

The Barrier has now been closed to prevent flooding 200 times, including 50 times during the Winter of 2013/14, protecting buildings in central London and 1.25 million people from flooding. It is, predicted to still be effective until 2100. Along with a long term plan to prevent flooding in the Thames Estuary due to Global warming. ”

The Thames is a tidal river which flows upstream as far as Teddington lock.

Before the Romans invaded Britain the Thames was much wider and had flood plains on both sides of the river. The Romans built up the embankments and down through the centuries the flood plains were reclaimed and developed, driving the tidal flow further up river and making flooding a more frequent problem.

One of the worst floods happened in 1953 causing, immense damage to property and a high loss of life. As a result it was decided that a Tidal Flood Defence Barrier should be designed and built on the river near Woolwich. The Barrier had to be high enough to hold back. a high tide and be retractable to allow commercial shipping into and out of the Port of London.

A design was approved with 10 steel gates which when the barrier is open sit flat on the riverbed. The gates having the same width as Tower Bridge when open. Each gate take 10 to 15 minutes to close, one and a half hours for full barrier closure. Around 90 people are employed at the Barrier and it is manned 24 hours a day every day of the year. The total cost to complete in 1982 after 8 years of construction was £535 million, and it costs £8 million a year to maintain and operate.

Good value compared to the huge cost of flood damage. The Barrier has now been closed to prevent flooding 200 times, including 50 times during the Winter of 2013/14, protecting buildings in central London and 1.25 million people from flooding.

It is, predicted to still be effective until 2100. Along with a long term plan to prevent flooding in the Thames Estuary due to Global warming.