Flood threat to Thames homes
THOUSANDS of homes in Gravesend could be protected from floods by a second 
Thames Barrier costing £1bn if proposals are accepted
A team of flood management experts is currently considering what measures should be taken to protect residents to the east of London, including Gravesend, from the rising risk of flooding.
The move comes as floods wreck thousands of homes across Europe and the Thames water levels rise the raising of the barrier level at Woolwich has increased 10 times over the past two years.
The Planning for Flood Management in the Thames Estuary team is made up of five committees, from Essex, Kent and the Thames region, and it will present its findings to the Department for Regional Authorities (DFRA) at the end of September.
A document, published by the Environment Authority, London's Tidal Defences, states the protection currently given by the Thames Barrier will halve by 2030, if no improvements are made.
Kent area flood defence improvement engineer Eddie Lynfield said: “A second barrier will be one of the options.”
London's Tidal Defences also states tidal defence improvements will cost at least £1bn. The estimated total value of property within the 125km flood risk area has been assessed at £200bn.
Mr Lynfield said: “Discoveries at Ebbsfleet, in Gravesend, have shown the Thames was much higher than it is today in the days of the Anglo-Saxons and it could rise again.”
Up to 3,200 new homes, office space and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link International Station is due to be built on the 430 acre Ebbsfleet site.
A spokesman for Gravesham Council said: “Gravesend is a tidal flood area and needs protecting.”
The Thames Barrier has been used on 63 occasions since 1982 and, since November 2000, has closed 24 times.
London is currently protected by 195 km of floodwalls and embankments, three tidal barriers and 36 floodgates.
The Department of Transport, Local Government and Regions predict the Thames will rise by 1.2m over the next 100 years, mostly due to global warming.
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