Thames Barrier

The Thames Barrier is one of the world's largest storm surge barriers. It is located on the River Thames in the London Borough of Woolwich. Their main task is to protect London against exceptionally high tides of the North Sea, particularly from storm surges.

Specifications

The Thames Barrier has a total length of 520 meters and consists of ten hinged gates. In order not to obstruct the waterway, they are lowered in the open state to the bottom of the Thames. Vessels up to 16 meters draft can then easily pass the barrage. The middle four gates through which the waterway runs, are each 60 meters wide, 10.5 meters high and weigh 1,500 tons each. A threat of storm surge, the doors can be closed within 15 minutes. This also makes the Thames Barrier unique, as most comparable barrages take several hours to close the gates.

The gates are closed once a month as part of the maintenance test basis.

History

The plans for the Thames Barrier began after the Holland flood in 1953, when in the UK alone 307 people were killed. 1974 began the construction of the barrage, Queen Elizabeth II consecrated it a May 8, 1984. The construction costs amounted to 534 million pounds. The lock came, according to the environment- agency until February 2012 119 times as flood protection for London used.

Beginning of 2005 were known plans to make the Thames Barrier to be from 2030 replaced by a new barrage. This is to be built directly into the Thames Estuary over a length of about 16 km between Sheerness and Southend. One reason for this is the concern, the Thames Barrier could not withstand future severe storm surges. More importantly, however, is that by the new barrage and the eastern suburbs of London and the Medway Towns would be protected, which is not currently the case.

2000, designed by Alain Provost Thames Barrier Park was opened in Silvertown. He had been in 1995 given by the London Docklands Development Corporation in order and has been managed since 1998 by the London Development Agency. It lies on the sealed toxic remains of a dyeing and is judged to be one of the most exciting English parks in recent years.