Thames Barrier
The Thames Barrier is located downstream of central London. Operational since 1982, its purpose is to protect the floodplain of all but the easternmost boroughs of Greater London being flooded by exceptionally high tides and storm surges moving up from the North Sea.
When needed, it is closed (raised) during high tide; at low tide it can be opened to restore the river's flow towards the sea. Built approximately 3 km (1.9 mi) due east of the Isle of Dogs, its northern bank is in Silvertown in the London Borough of Newham and its southern bank is in the New Charlton area of the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
The report of Sir Hermann Bondi on the North Sea flood of 1953 affecting parts of the Thames Estuary and parts of London was instrumental in the building of a barrier to control the flood risk[1]. Forty-one options were identified. The Hydraulics Research Station was commissioned to build a scale model of the estuary from Teddington to Southend to assess the options.
The project were designed by Rendel, Palmer and Tritton. It involved novel technology, with 10 rising sections, and was to be built in an area of the country known for the sensitivity of its labour relations.
1974 A heavily qualified bid was accepted from a consortium Costain-Tarmac-HBM, with Costain taking the lead; the Dutch partner HBM brought experience of large coffer dams necessary for the construction of the piers[2]
The 10 rising sector gates were fabricated and installed, together with their operating machinery, by Cleveland Bridge, having been assembled by Cleveland Offshore of Teesside; these companies were part of the Davy Cleveland Barrier Consortium, the contractor for the gates.[3][4]