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The Thames Flood Barrier is the world's largest movable flood barrier. Built between 1974 and 1986 at a cost of 370 million pounds, the Barrier divides the river Thames into six channels between nine large concrete piers.
The Barrier forms a major part of the flood defence system protecting London against rising water levels and tidal surges and consists of four large central gates each 61 metres long, and two outer two gates each 31 meters long. The gates are normally left open to allow ships to pass through, but can be rotated closed to stop water travelling up the Thames estuary.
The last time that central London flooded was in 1928 when 14 people drowned. Before 1990, the number of barrier closures was one to two per year on average. Since 1990, the number of barrier closures has increased to an average of about four per year.
Excellent views of the Thames Flood Barrier can be obtained from: Thames Barrier Park
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