The Thames barrier – a Grand structure that protects London from flooding. In the XX century flood victims hit the British capital twice, in 1928 and 1953. The British decided to endure the rage of the elements is no longer possible.

For centuries London was vulnerable to flooding that occurred due to storm surge from the North sea. In such cases, moves by sea, tidal wave, which increases the pressure in the English channel, then in the Thames estuary. Spring surge may coincide with seasonal high water, and it probably means the flooding of London.

After the flood in 1953 that killed 307 people, the society agreed on the need of a protective barrier. At risk were 340 square kilometres of land with half a million buildings, almost a hundred railway stations. Lived here 1, 25 million people. The damage from the catastrophic floods was estimated at the enormous sum of £ 30 billion.

In 1972 it was decided to build the Barrier. His concept was proposed by engineer Charles Reginald Draper. In 1950 eighteen year old boy he built a working model using the principle of ordinary brass gas valve. Testing has proven the reliability and efficiency of the structure.

8 may 1984 Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the Thames Barrier. It covers the river width is 520 meters: futuristic sparkling buildings, each with five-storey house, divide the flow into four segment 61 meters and two navigable span of 30 meters. In these openings are installed with steel swivel segments, in normal times, lying on the river bottom. If necessary, the segments weighing 3700 tons synchronously rotated 90 degrees, reliably blocking the stream.

Time has shown that the Barrier is vital to London: the frequency of floods is growing all the time. For the first five years the building was used only four times. But only in 2001 it had to be lifted 15 times in 2003 – 19 times in 2007 11. It is thought that by 2050 protective structure will be included up to 75 times a year.

Look at the Barrier tourists. In a small Centre for education and information show the current model structure. When lucky you can see the work and the Barrier – it check once a month.

On the North Bank of the Thames adjacent to the construction of the Park, the Thames Barrier is a great example of the renovation of blighted areas. Used here, the Royal docks, the "dirty" production of sleepers and Telegraph poles. In 1994 adopted a plan to transform the area into one of the best green places in London, has announced an international tender. And in 2000 it opened as a beautiful Park with fountains, gardens, groves and flowery meadows.