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Thames Barrier news.

https://greenwichwire.co.uk/2026/08/19/thames-barrier-replacement-climate-change/

Comments

  • Weegie Addick
    Weegie Addick Posts: 17,614
    I remember visiting it as a kid when it was new and being surprised it was only planned to last 50 years. And here we nearly are.

    My hope is they will build a new one a bit further east then turn this one into an extra pedestrian river crossing. Would be really easy to fly into London City and walk across to The Valley!
  • charlton4ever
    charlton4ever Posts: 1,951
    Remember living near it as a kid and the piledriving sounds went on for years - never bothered us though. It is crazy its replacement is already in the pipeline. Later on I had a flat on the Dockyard and watched bits of the opening day from the 10th floor!

    Whoosh goes the time.
  • se9addick
    se9addick Posts: 33,236
    It’s done a good job to be fair!
  • I remember visiting it as a kid when it was new and being surprised it was only planned to last 50 years. And here we nearly are.

    My hope is they will build a new one a bit further east then turn this one into an extra pedestrian river crossing. Would be really easy to fly into London City and walk across to The Valley  

    I turned up there years ago on the north side to attend to a fault and the guy said, 'Its on the other side', but there's no one available to walk you through the tunnel.  I then drove all the way to the South side and another guy said there's no one available to let you in.  (I'm glad it wasn't the same guy).
  • soapy_jones
    soapy_jones Posts: 21,835
    End of its life as planned.

    I am sure whatever shit show is/will be in charge will get it sorted... OR invest in some water wings and a snorkle everyone.
  • Off_it
    Off_it Posts: 29,470
    End of its life as planned.

    I am sure whatever shit show is/will be in charge will get it sorted... OR invest in some water wings and a snorkle everyone.
    Or move to the top of a hill!
  • Rothko
    Rothko Posts: 19,514
    Just that end of life is now 24 years away, rather than 44, and that means a decision will need to be made quickly. 
  • CaptainRobbo
    CaptainRobbo Posts: 2,629
    edited August 20
    Rothko said:
    Just that end of life is now 24 years away, rather than 44, and that means a decision will need to be made quickly. 
    I wonder if wonderful Emperor Khan will still be Mayor in 24 years time.
    Let's hope so, eh @jose 🤣
  • LenGlover
    LenGlover Posts: 32,290
    My late father attended the opening of the Thames Barrier. There is a photo of him a few places away from the Queen as she was being introduced to various people.

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  • jose
    jose Posts: 1,812
    Rothko said:
    Just that end of life is now 24 years away, rather than 44, and that means a decision will need to be made quickly. 
    I wonder if wonderful Emperor Khan will still be Mayor in 24 years time.
    Let's hope so, eh @jose 🤣
    I don’t think that Sir Sadiq Khan will stand to be elected by the voters in London for the fourth time in a row.
  • guinnessaddick
    guinnessaddick Posts: 31,140
    Was the job to get onto in the building trade back then, other than the power station at Dartford.
  • CaptainRobbo
    CaptainRobbo Posts: 2,629
    Was the job to get onto in the building trade back then, other than the power station at Dartford.
    I knew pipe laggers that were on 1K a week working on Canary Wharf in 1989.
    I was a £50 a week apprentice at the time. 
  • CaptainRobbo
    CaptainRobbo Posts: 2,629
    jose said:
    Rothko said:
    Just that end of life is now 24 years away, rather than 44, and that means a decision will need to be made quickly. 
    I wonder if wonderful Emperor Khan will still be Mayor in 24 years time.
    Let's hope so, eh @jose 🤣
    I don’t think that Sir Sadiq Khan will stand to be elected by the voters in London for the fourth time in a row.
    Many moons ago late one night, I found myself on a platform at London Bridge. 
    Was totally empty apart from one other person

    Yes it was none other than "Red Ken" himself, not long after he had introduced the Congestion Charge 
    He was standing on the edge of the platform and for a brief second a wicked thought entered my head.
    Was sad to see Ken is now living with Alzheimer's.
  • jose
    jose Posts: 1,812
    I believe making the bus lane system expand London wide moved towards equalising the journey times for bus passengers and car drivers. 
    During his time as Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone heavily expanded the city’s network of dedicated bus lanes to improve bus speed, reliability, and frequency. This strategy was paired with a massive rollout of CCTV cameras to strictly enforce the lanes, ensuring that only authorised vehicles could use them. 
    At the time bus lanes were criticised like tolls, congestion charges, and ULEZ have been since. However these days bus lanes are an uncontroversially accepted part of the tapestry of London largely thanks to Ken.
    Naturally there are some who object, often vehicle drivers who want to stop and park anywhere they like.
    When I worked as a delivery van boy back in the day we would park without causing an obstruction and often relied on these things:


  • CaptainRobbo
    CaptainRobbo Posts: 2,629
    Once drove the wrong way down a one way bus lane by Victoria Station.
    Luckily no buses or cameras were active at the time.
  • CaptainRobbo
    CaptainRobbo Posts: 2,629
    jose said:
    I believe making the bus lane system expand London wide moved towards equalising the journey times for bus passengers and car drivers. 
    During his time as Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone heavily expanded the city’s network of dedicated bus lanes to improve bus speed, reliability, and frequency. This strategy was paired with a massive rollout of CCTV cameras to strictly enforce the lanes, ensuring that only authorised vehicles could use them. 
    At the time bus lanes were criticised like tolls, congestion charges, and ULEZ have been since. However these days bus lanes are an uncontroversially accepted part of the tapestry of London largely thanks to Ken.
    Naturally there are some who object, often vehicle drivers who want to stop and park anywhere they like.
    When I worked as a delivery van boy back in the day we would park without causing an obstruction and often relied on these things:


    Must say I didn't mind him when he was leader of the GLC, constantly sparring with Thatcher.
  • O-Randy-Hunt
    O-Randy-Hunt Posts: 11,815
    jose said:
    I believe making the bus lane system expand London wide moved towards equalising the journey times for bus passengers and car drivers. 
    During his time as Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone heavily expanded the city’s network of dedicated bus lanes to improve bus speed, reliability, and frequency. This strategy was paired with a massive rollout of CCTV cameras to strictly enforce the lanes, ensuring that only authorised vehicles could use them. 
    At the time bus lanes were criticised like tolls, congestion charges, and ULEZ have been since. However these days bus lanes are an uncontroversially accepted part of the tapestry of London largely thanks to Ken.
    Naturally there are some who object, often vehicle drivers who want to stop and park anywhere they like.
    When I worked as a delivery van boy back in the day we would park without causing an obstruction and often relied on these things:


    I do love a bus lane Seth. It's a shame to see some of them being taken away these days though.