Tidal wave of interest in London’s flood defences
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Author: |
Jane Nower |
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Date published: |
26-Feb-2008 |
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Keywords: |
Flood, Thames Barrier, TE2100, options, London |
MEDIA INVITE: You are invited to attend a press conference at the Thames Barrier on Tuesday 18 March 2008, between 1:30 – 4:30pm. This is a rare opportunity to talk to the experts at the Environment Agency and Met Office, and take a tour of the Thames Barrier. You will find out what needs to be done to protect London from flooding over the next 100 years – examining both best and worst case scenarios. For more information, or to confirm your attendance, please contact Jane Nower on 0118 953 5868 or jane.nower@environment-agency.gov.uk
Places are limited. Please respond by Tuesday 11 March 2008.
To prevent a tidal wave of panic when disaster movie ‘Flood’ screens during Spring 2008 the Environment Agency has worked closely with producers and distributors of the two-part mini series to highlight the actions that people can take in the face of real-life flood events.
Scenes from the $30 million blockbuster were filmed at the Thames Barrier over eight days, to create an action-packed scenario where a freak 25-metre wave sweeps up the Thames Estuary, tops the Thames Barrier and floods London.
In fact, the Environment Agency – with support from the Met Office – is confident that tidal flood risk for London and the Thames Estuary can be managed up until at least the year 2100, taking into account climate change and sea level rise using a wide range of scenarios.
Following the screening of the film on ITV1, a public service announcement will highlight the Environment Agency’s Floodline number, for those who have been affected by the graphic imagery in the film. Floodline gives practical advice on what to do before, during and after a flood.
The film stars Robert Carlyle (Trainspotting, Twenty Eight Weeks Later) as engineer Rob Morrison. The plotline opens as Rob is called to inspect the Thames Barrier by his ex-wife Sam, the Barrier’s director of operations, (Jessalyn Gilsig, “Nip/Tuck”). Meanwhile, Rob’s estranged father Professor Leonard Morrison (BAFTA Award Winner, Tom Courtenay) tries desperately to contact Thames Barrier staff to warn them of potentially devastating weather conditions moving down the coast from Scotland. The hard Government decisions in the film are taken by the deputy prime minister played by David Suchet (best known as the famous detective Hercule Poirot).
In reality, a team of Environment Agency engineers and operations staff at the Thames Barrier work continuously to ensure that this type of scenario remains firm fiction, with most recent modelling showing that the Barrier can withstand expected flood pressures for many years to come. The possibility of London’s defence structures succumbing to a major flood is currently estimated at having a 1:2000 or 0.05 per cent chance of occurring.
The last major flood was a 1:300 event in 1953 and it was this flooding that led to the construction of the Barrier.
Steve East, Thames Barrier technical support team leader said: “The recent flooding and heavy rains in Britain will have made people more aware of the dangers of extreme weather. In fact, our current modelling already takes into account the many different factors that contribute to tidal flooding including weather conditions, fluvial flows and known tidal cycles.
“The defences that we have in place can presently cope with the worst that can realistically be thrown at it, but of course it is right that we plan for the future, to ensure that this level of protection is at least maintained in the decades to come. The Thames Barrier protects 125 square km of central London – encompassing 1.25 million people and an infrastructure valued at £80bn.”
Producer of the film, Justin Bodle, said: “The best way to create a programme about an unpredictable scenario like this one is to work with the real-life experts. The Thames Barrier is a structure admired the world over for its efficiency and resilience. Our production may be a work of fiction but it has served to highlight the challenges and investment needed to maintain effective flood management programmes in the UK.”
Anyone who is concerned about property flooding can sign up to Floodline on 0845 988 1188 to receive personalised warnings for their area.
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Notes for editors
In 1953 the worst tidal surge in recent living memory occurred. This was when surge waters overwhelmed the flood defences along the East Coast. Over 300 people in the UK lost their lives in the storm and the resulting floods. In Canvey Island alone, 59 people died. Had over-topping not occurred downstream, Central London would have suffered a potentially devastating flood.
The surge also affected other countries around the North Sea, in particular Holland, where almost 2000 fatalities occurred when the Dutch defences were overwhelmed. Following this event, plans for the Thames Barrier were set in motion. It was officially opened in 1982. Recognising that creating effective flood management systems is a lengthy process has been an important part of London’s plans for the future.
As such, engineers are already looking forward to end of the century with the Thames Estuary 2100 Project. Scientists from the Met Office Hadley Centre are providing expert advice to the project on the possible impacts of climate change. The Thames Barrier is not the only structure designed to protect London in the event of flooding. Other structures and measures include include: the Barking Barrier, King George V lock gate, Gallions Flood Gate, Dartford Barrier, Tilbury Dock, Fobbing Horse, Easthaven Barrier, and Benfleet Barrier. In addition to these, the tidal Thames has 36 major industrial floodgates and 480 smaller moveable structures – mostly protecting residential property.
The production ‘Flood’ is a work of fiction, and as such a statement will be made in the credits, that the film does not intend to portray the actual operation of the Thames Barrier or Environment Agency procedures.
For more information on Flood visit www.flood-london.com For stills from the film visit: www.lionsgatefilms.co.uk/publicity
Call the Environment Agency Floodline on 0845 988 1188* Open 24 hours a day - Get practical advice on what to do before, during and after a flood. - Find out how to get warnings in case of future flooding. *BT calls cost up to 4p/min plus 6p set-up fee from your home every time you call. Other providers and mobiles may vary.
Or check whether you are at risk of flooding by visiting www.environment-agency.gov.uk and entering your address into our postcode search facility.
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