Thamesmead Policy Unit: Thames Estuary 2100
What needs to be done to manage flood risk and adapt to rising sea levels in Thamesmead, one of 23 policy units in Thames Estuary 2100 (TE2100).
Applies to England
Map centred on the Thamesmead policy unit boundary, which is south of the River Thames from Woolwich in the west to Erith in the east. The surrounding areas are also shown, with the map extending 2 kilometres (km) north and south, 1.5km east and 1km west. The flood risk layer shows that, in much of the policy unit, there is a 0.1% or higher chance of flooding each year without the existing flood defences. The risk is reduced by defences.
Description
The Thamesmead Policy Unit extends from Woolwich Ferry Terminal to Erith Pier. It includes:
- the residential area of Thamesmead
- industrial estates and retail parks in Belvedere
- the Crossness Sewage Treatment Works
There is a major road network and rail link serving this area, with plans to expand transport links further.
The councils responsible for this area are:
- Royal Borough of Greenwich
- London Borough of Bexley
The Local Plan identifies the potential to improve infrastructure and facilities in the town centre. Future plans may involve expanding transport links, including Crossrail.
Use the Thames Estuary 2100 (TE2100) map to view all the policy units.
Local areas at risk and types of flooding
This policy unit is low lying and very flat which causes serious risk of surface water flooding where the capacity of the drainage system is low.
The area at risk of tidal flooding includes:
- schools
- an emergency service station
- major transport links
The types of flooding that could affect this policy unit include:
- tidal flooding from the River Thames – when the tide overtops flood defences
- fluvial flooding from Marsh Dykes, Plumstead and Erith Marshes drainage systems – when heavy rainfall causes rivers to overflow their banks or defences
- groundwater flooding – when underground water stores (aquifers) overflow
- surface water flooding – when heavy rainfall is unable to drain away
- surface water flooding from urban drainage sources
- a combination of these
Managing flood risk in this area
There are tidal flood defences downriver (east) of the Thames Barrier. A system of channels with outfalls into the Thames provides fluvial flood management.
We need to improve the Erith Marshes drainage system as sea level rises and fluvial flows increase. This could include:
- controlling runoff
- enlarging drainage channels
- increasing flood storage
- improving the outfall capacity
The Environment Agency also uses flood alerts and flood warnings to inform people about potential flooding so they can take appropriate action.
Sign up to receive flood warnings in your area.
Flood risk management policies for this area
Thames Estuary 2100 sets flood risk management policies for each area of the estuary. The policies range from P3 to P5 and outline how we should manage that area’s tidal defences.
In this area a P4 policy applies.
This means we will take further action to keep up with climate and land use change so that flood risk does not increase. We will need to work with other risk management authorities to do more to manage flood risk.
Find out more about flood risk management policies.
Local requirements: who needs to do what
Tidal flood defence owners
By 2040, tidal flood defence owners in this policy unit should:
- work with the council, developers and local infrastructure providers to adapt defences and achieve multiple benefits through proposed development
- work with the Environment Agency to raise defences where required
For further information read outcome 2: improving fixed flood defences.
Local councils
There is currently no riverside strategy for this area. By 2030, councils should work with communities to plan how their riverside will look in future.
Find out more about the riverside strategy approach.
Thames Estuary Partnership:
The Thames Estuary Partnership will work with communities, councils, the Environment Agency and other partners to update the Thames Strategy East.
This landscape vision for the river corridor will include a riverside strategy approach to tidal flood defence upgrades.