New River Thames Flood Defences to Protect Port of Tilbury, Homes and Businesses
Multi-Million Pound Scheme Under Way
UK – Most Londoners are familiar with the Greenwich Barrier, the line of gateways in the River Thames which can be closed to prevent flooding further upstream. These of course can have a detrimental effect in the lower reaches and, with the voices deriding climate change growing weaker by the day, there is a lesser known set of gates that guard the Purfleet, Grays and Tilbury areas against the rising tides.
These then are the original port lock gates which were installed in 1928, and subsequently the Tilbury Barrier which was constructed forty years ago. Now the existing port lock gates will be replaced with pioneering dual function lock gates, and the Environment Agency’s tidal barrier will be removed. Work started in January and is expected to last for 18 months with the new lock gates planned for installation in late 2021 / early 2022.
Construction work has started as part of a £34million scheme to improve Tilbury’s flood defences with the installation of new flood defence gates. The existing port lock gates will be replaced with pioneering dual function lock gates, and the Environment Agency’s tidal barrier will be removed. This is a major joint project between the Environment Agency and The Port of Tilbury, which is set to safeguard thousands of homes and businesses in the local area. Work started in January and is expected to last for 18 months - with the new lock gates planned for installation in late 2021 / early 2022.