§ Mr. Spearingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the dates on which the Thames barrier has been closed for emergency reasons since September 1986; and for each closure, what was the height of the tidal surge above ordnance datum at Southend, Gravesend and at the barrier, respectively, together with their heights above predicted levels at each location.
§ Mr. GummerSince September 1986 the Thames barrier has been closed against potential flooding only on 29 March 1987. On that occasion the maximum recorded high water levels above ordnance datum were 3.6 m at Southend, 3.88 m in the area of Gravesend and 4.35 m at618W Woolwich close to the barrier. The Southend level was 0.5m and the Tilbury and Woolwich levels 0.3 m above the predicted levels shown in published tide tables.
§ Mr. Spearingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the works in hand to complete the Thames flood defences downstream of the Thames flood barrier; and if he will make a statement concerning the circumstances of the recent breach of flood defences in Barking creek.
§ Mr. GummerThe Thames tidal defences downstream of the Thames flood barrier are now complete save for minor works near Southend-on-Sea. The flooding from Barking creek on 14 July 1987 occurred as a result of slippage of the river bank during work on sluices controlling discharges from Beckton sewerage treatment works. Adjacent buildings, roads and playing fields were flooded during the early hours of that day. Further flooding after the dawn high tide was, however, prevented by closure of the Barking flood barrier. The river bank was restored on 15 July — and there have been no further problems.