Briefing: The Thames Barrier: an accidental asset in London’s attempts to address climate change

Abstract

The Thames Barrier is a massive engineering achievement that marked its 40th anniversary this year, having officially been opened by the Queen on 8th May 1984. It was built to protect Greater London from exceptionally high tides and storm surges, caused when a deep depression forms to the north of Scotland and progresses across the North Sea and south-easterly towards southern Scandinavia. The capital needed it. When surges coincide with a high spring tide, the high winds associated with the depression can funnel the water up the Thames Estuary and can cause the water to rise 12 feet.