![]() ![]() When open, the gates lie flat on the river floor, the Thames flows freely and ships are able to pass through. The four main gates each span 61.5m (200ft), stand as high as a 5- storey building, and weigh more than 3,300 tonnes. ![]() km of London with the use of ten steel gates. The total construction cost was an estimated £534 million with an additional £100 million for other river defences. The choice of site was determined by the underlying river chalk having enough strength to support the barrier, as well as the relatively straight banks in the New Charlton area.Ĭonstruction began in 1974, and it was officially opened by the Queen on. The Greater London Council commissioned Rendel, Palmer and Tritton to design and test the barrier. The premise for the rotating gates was devised by Charles Draper. It was at this point that many began calling for a barrier to protect the capital from future flood events. ![]() In 1953, the North Sea flood resulted in several hundred deaths, forced thousands to evacuate their homes, and caused substantial damage. In 1928, 14 people drowned when the Thames overflowed between the City and Southwark to the east, and Putney and Hammersmith to the west. Situated on a floodplain, London suffered dramatic flooding a number of times during the 20th century. The original design- life of the barrier was intended to be until 2030, but recent reports suggest that even taking into consideration the predicted sea level rise as a result of climate change, the barrier will provide sufficient protection until 2060-70. However, during a 9-day period in February 2014, the barrier was closed a record-breaking 20 times. Indeed, this prediction was initially relatively accurate, as it was closed a total of four times from 1982, when it became operational, to the end of that decade. The initial design estimated that it would need to be closed once every six years on average. ![]() It is currently run and maintained by the Environment Agency (EA) who oversee decisions to close (raise) the barrier during high tides and open (lower) the barrier to restore the river’s flow. The barrier spans 520 metres across the Thames from Silvertown on the north bank to New Charlton on the south bank. It is the world’s second largest flood defence barrier, after the Ooosterscheldekering barrier in the Netherlands. The Thames Barrier is a movable barrier that plays a critical role in preventing the London basin from flooding as a result of high tides and storm surges moving up from the North Sea. 5 Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.The park is carefully tended to display variety throughout the year, and provide a welcome habitat for birds and insects. The park also boasts extensive lawns that are crossed by gravel pathways and bordered by yew and maygreen hedges. Two bridges cross the Green Dock and reveal vistas across the colourful, scented gardens. The 'Green Dock' provides a wind protected microclimate for a variety of plants and wildlife. One of the most eye-catching features of the park is the 'Green Dock', a 130 foot long sunken garden running diagonally through the park that is intended as a reminder of the site's dockland heritage. The fountains are temporarily closed while development works take place at Pontoon Dock The parks design features 32 fountains in a stone courtyard and family facilities including children’s play and picnic areas. Since its opening the park has won design awards in the UK and USA. The contaminated soil was covered with a 6 foot layer of crushed concrete to protect the new soil laid on top. Remarkably, the park was created on a site that once housed petrochemical and acid works on the Thames riverbank. Thames Barrier Park was designed by landscape architect Allain Provost (Groupe Signes) of Paris and architects Patel Taylor of London. ![]()
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