Thames Barrier turns 30: Stunning images reveal the complex machinery that's shielding London from the floods



These stunning photos reveal the inner workings of the Thames Barrier in east London which was opened in 1984

Due to the current stormy weather, the barrier has closed a record 29 times since December to protect the capital

Images show the construction of the barrier which began in 1974 and was completed just under a decade later

Barrier can hold back 9,000 tonnes of water when fully raised, creating a solid steel wall that prevents water flow




The magnificent Thames Barrier has been protecting London from rising flood water for over 30 years.

These stunning photos show the workings of this incredible piece of machinery near Woolwich in east London which was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1984.

Due to the current stormy weather, the barrier has closed a record 29 times since December to protect the capital. This compares to 35 times between 1990 and the end of 1999.

30 years since the Thames Barrier was officially opened, stunning photos show the magnificent piece of machinery which protects the city of London from rising flood waters. The 520m-long flood defence system near Woolwich in east London was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1984

HOW THE THAMES BARRIER WORKS

The Thames Barrier has two types of gates: Falling Radial Gates that sit above the river and Rising Sector Gates which rest on the river bed. Individual gates can be closed in ten minutes but the whole barrier takes around an house and a half to close completely.

When fully raised, the barrier creates a solid steel wall that stops water flowing upstream towards the capital. The Thames Barrier is only be reopened once the water level upstream of the barrier matches the level downstream. Once a decision has been made to reopen it, a controlled amount of water is passed under the gate and up the Thames.

In 1928 fourteen people were said to have died after flooding on the Thames with a further 307 died during the North Sea flood of 1953.

These deaths led to the barrier being built in the late 1970s before being opened officially in 1984.

The movable barrier is made up of 10 gates attached to 39-metre tall cofferdam piles, which are buried 24 metres into the river bed.

Individual gates can be closed in ten minutes but the whole barrier takes an hour and half to close completely.

The barrier can hold back up to 9,000 tonnes of water and - when fully raised - creates a solid steel wall preventing water flowing.

The Thames Barrier under construction is pictured here. In 1928 fourteen people were said to have died after flooding on the Thames with a further 307 died during the North Sea flood of 1953. These deaths led to the barrier being built in the late 70s before being opened officially in 1984 The English capital is vulnerable to flooding and high tides from surges travelling down from the North Sea towards the English Channel and Thames Estuary. The stormiest and wettest period of weather for a century has seen the barrier, which protects closed a record 29 times since December - compared to 35 times between 1990 and the end of 1999 The movable barrier is made up of 10 gates attached to 39-metre tall cofferdam piles, which are buried 24 metres into the river bed. Pictured here is the barrier under construction

By holding back the tide, the barrier creates more space in the river for excess water from upstream to flow down. At low tide, the Thames barrier is then opened and the floodwaters flow to the sea.

The four main gates are each 20 metres high, span 61 metres and weigh over 3,300 tonnes each.

It costs over £16,000 each time to fully close the Thames Barrier but it is regularly tested and closed during high spring tides.

It was used four times in the 1980s, 35 times in 1990s and more than 100 times since 2000. Last month it was closed on 13 consecutive tides and it has now been shut a total of 29 times in the last 10 weeks.

It may look like an aerial shot from a post-apocalyptic film, but this map shows how London could look if sea levels continue to rise and the Thames Barrier wasn¿t there to protect it

The barrier was originally designed to protect London against a very high flood level up to the year 2030, after which the protection would decrease

The barrier can hold back up to 9,000 tonnes of water and - when fully raised - creates a solid steel wall preventing water flowing. By holding back the tide, the barrier creates more space in the river for excess water from upstream to flow down. At low tide, the Thames barrier is then opened and the floodwaters flow to the sea

By holding back the tide, the barrier creates more space in the river for excess water from upstream to flow down. At low tide, the Thames barrier is then opened and the floodwaters flow to the sea

This represents one fifth of all the barrier closures - approximately 150 - since it was inaugurated.

The equivalent of almost 300 Lake Windermeres' worth of water has fallen on Britain since the storms began. December and January were the wettest two months ever recorded for the south of England.

Although the river is not expected to burst its banks in the city centre, groundwater flooding is expected in parts of London, Hampshire, Kent and Surrey.

According to a map released in December by its operator, the Environment Agency, large parts of London would be flooded if the barrier did not exist and sea levels continue to rise.

The map shows the Houses of Parliament, the O2 arena, Tower Bridge, and areas including Southwark, the Isle of Dogs, Whitechapel and West Ham as flooded.

The Thames Barrier under construction (left) and as it stands today (right). The barrier has now been shut a record total of 29 times in the last 10 weeks



Individual gates can be closed in ten minutes but the whole barrier takes around an house and a half to close completely. When fully raised, the barrier creates a solid steel wall that stops water flowing upstream towards the capital

Construction of the thames barrier began in 1974 and the project was completed just under a decade later