Major updates to Thames Estuary 2100 from 2012 to 2023
The major changes to the Thames Estuary 2100 (TE2100) Plan since it was last published in 2012.
Applies to England
The Environment Agency has completed the first full review and update of this Plan. Based on our evidence we have:
- brought forward the deadline for adapting flood defences upstream (west) of the Thames Barrier by 15 years to 2050
- confirmed that all options for replacing the Thames Barrier (end-of-century options) should remain open until a decision is made
- brought forward the deadline for deciding on an end-of-century option from 2050 to 2040
As part of the update to this Plan, based on feedback from users and our partners, we have:
- put benefits at the heart of Thames Estuary 2100 (TE2100)
- clarified the roles and responsibilities of those implementing it
- set stronger ambitions on sustainability and resilience
- changed the terminology and structure
Adapting the flood defence system
We need to upgrade defences upstream (west) of the Thames Barrier by 2050 instead of 2065.
The deadline for defence upgrades downstream (east) of the Thames Barrier remains 2040.
We have increased the time needed for planning defence upgrades downstream of the Thames Barrier from 5 years to between 10 and 15 years. Partners have asked the Environment Agency to set out the steps needed to raise defences. We will be developing a plan for raising these, as set out in Outcome 2: improving fixed flood defences.
We have also set a deadline of 2030 for creating riverside strategies. Riverside strategy visions should be an integral part of statutory local planning.
The future of the Thames Barrier from 2070 (end-of-century options)
Originally, 2 options were identified as most favourable:
- to upgrade the existing Thames Barrier at Woolwich
- to build a new barrier at Long Reach
Our economic case review found that the costs and benefits of all options are now much closer together economically. Therefore, all options will continue to remain open until a decision is made by 2040. This includes flood storage and a new barrier at Gravesend Reach (Tilbury). We will reassess all options by 2030.
The selected end-of-century option needs to be in place and operational by 2070 based on current projections. We have changed the deadline for deciding on the final option from 2050 to 2040. This allows enough time for planning and approval before construction begins.
Find out more about managing future flood risk and the Thames Barrier.
Putting benefits at the heart of Thames Estuary 2100
We originally focused on the benefits of managing tidal flood risk. Since then, we have worked with partners to agree the wider range of environmental, social, and economic benefits we can create together by reshaping riversides.
Read about how we can produce these benefits through the riverside strategy approach.
Clarifying roles and responsibilities
The success of Thames Estuary 2100 depends on working together. The Environment Agency cannot do this alone. We must work with landowners, risk management authorities and others to reduce the impact of climate change on the estuary.
Our partners have told us that roles and responsibilities need to be clearer. In response we have made it clear who needs to deliver the outcomes. We will work with partners to agree how we will achieve these and set out the actions in outcome delivery plans.
Find out more about roles and responsibilities.
Focusing on sustainability
We now put a greater focus on sustainability. We want to:
- restore ecosystems
- reduce carbon
- work towards environmental and biodiversity net gain
Find out more about how we’re working towards sustainability.
We have reviewed and corrected the projected intertidal habitat loss from 1200 hectares by 2105 to 598 hectares.
Find out more about this in our 10-year review monitoring report.
Building community resilience in the Thames Estuary
We are focusing more on helping some outer estuary communities become more resilient to the risk of flooding. This is because we expect flood risk to increase in some outer estuary areas over time due to climate change. This is what we call a P3 flood risk policy.
We have set out steps for planning how we manage this increased risk in Outcome 6: managing flood risk from all sources.
Changes to the terminology and structure of this Plan
Based on feedback from users, we have made the following changes:
- removed action zones – which grouped together policy units
- changed objectives to aims
- reduced the number of aims from 5 to 3
- replaced the key recommendations with strategic objectives
- replaced action zone recommendations with outcomes – which are split into outcomes for the whole estuary and those for specific locations
- replaced implementation plans with outcome delivery plans