Maintaining the Thames tidal defences in a century of climate change

The paper briefly reviews the origin and nature of the Thames Tidal Defences. It considers the reliability of the current defences and the actions which may be required in coming years to adapt, maintain and operate the defence structures under changing conditions, particularly the world's changing climate. This will result in a continuous rise in sea level and increased storminess, causing higher storm surges and greater frequency of operation of the movable tidal defence equipment.

• INTRODUCTION

• THE THAMES TIDAL DEFENCES

• CRITERIA OF DESIGN AND OPERATION – THAMES BARRIER

• RELIABILITY OF THE THAMES BARRIER

• THE PROBLEMS OF AGEING AND WEAR

• THE CAUSE OF STORM SURGES IN THE NORTH SEA

• CLIMATE CHANGE

• POSSIBLE ACTIONS TO MAINTAIN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE THAMES BARRIER AGAINST HIGHER STORM SURGES

• EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THAMES BARRIER GATES AND MACHINERY

• CONCLUSIONS

• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• REFERENCES