Part Three of the River Tour from Eurolink's 2010 Reunion

From, last week's, point, we progressed to the Thames Barrier, which we passed through and, during this time, we heard more about flood risk management from Sarah Lavery. The Barrier is one of London's most striking and famous landmarks, with its distinctive stainless steel piers, it spans 520 metres across the Thames near Woolwich. It has 10 steel gates that can be raised into a position across the river Thames if a tidal surge is predicted, and it became operational in 1982. When raised, the main gates stand as high as a five storey building and as wide as the opening of Tower Bridge. Each main gate weigh 3,700 tons. Unusually, one of the gates was closed for maintenance, which enabled us to see what it looks like. The Thames Barrier is one of the largest moveable flood barriers in the world. It protects 125 square kilometres of central London. This includes 1.25 million people, historic buildings, including the Houses of Parliament, offices, power supplies, tube lines and hospitals to name just a few.

The Environment Agency maintains the Barrier, as well as the other flood defences of the capital, which include flood gates, i.e the Barking Barrier, and raised river banks. The planning of flood risk management in the Thames Estuary is looking 100 years ahead.

Over £80 billion worth of property lies within the Thames tidal flood plain, the majority of which is in  London itself. This property is protected to a high standard, and London and the Thames Estuary currently have one of the best tidal defence systems in the world, which will provide a high standard of protection to well beyond 2030. However, the effects of climate change  present an unwelcome picture for the flood risk of future generations. Planning for "flood risk management" in the Thames Estuary is an initiative by Anglian, Southern and Thames regions of the Environment Agency, to develop a strategy for flood risk management in the Estuary for the next 100 years. One of the studies will examine London's vulnerability to storm surge today and in the future, and develop options to ensure the sustainability of London in the face of this increasing threat.

On our return to Greenwich, the increasing number of reed beds re-establishing themselves along the river banks were pointed out to us, and they reach as far as the Globe Theatre. These have aided the return of much of the river wildlife, including birds, insects, plants and mammals. We saw other examples of flood risk management by lowering of the river walls outside the O2 Arena (formerly known as the Millennium Dome).

During the course of this trip, we enjoyed a delicious lunch aboard the William B, which everyone appreciated whilst sailing down the river. Finally, we disembarked at Greenwich, where we said goodbye to our speakers and Niek Ruyter gave a vote of thanks and made a presentation on behalf of the Club.