river thames barrier Flood defence Woolwich London England Landmarks Environment Global Warming Science Technology Architecture
river thames barrier Flood defence Woolwich London England Landmarks Environment Global Warming Science Technology Architecture Landscape transport control structure constructed 1974 1984 Reach first used defensively 1983 world second largest movable barrier Located downstream central London, the barrier's purpose is to prevent London being flooded by an exceptionally high tide moving up from the sea, exacerbated by a storm surge. It only needs to be raised for the duration of the high tide; at low tide it can be opened to release water flowing down the Thames which backs up behind it. Built across a 523 metre wide stretch of the river, the barrier divides the river into four 61m and two 31m navigable spans and four smaller non-navigable channels between nine concrete piers and two abutments. The flood gates across the openings are
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Photo credit: © UK Alan King / Alamy / Afripics
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