Thames Estuary 2100

Protecting Your Future:  Thames Estuary 2100 online consultation The Environment Agency's Thames Estuary 2100 project (TE2100), is developing a tidal flood risk management plan for London and the Thames estuary. TE2100 are now consulting on the early phases of this plan and invite you to participate in an online consultation. The consultation provides you with a background summary to the project, the drivers for flood risk management in the estuary, and seeks views on the potential impacts of a variety of options for protecting different parts of the estuary. It is important that users of the river, businesses and residents are able to raise any issues they have at an early stage, so don't be put off by thinking this consultation is just for technical experts. You can review the potential defence options and respond to general questions as well as more detailed ones. To participate go to http://TE2100.dialoguebydesign.net and register. The consultation will run from 8 May to 7 July 2006. If you would like to know more about the project, please email mailto:TE2100@environment-agency.co.uk for a copy of our summary booklet “Protecting Your Future”.

Thames Estuary 2100 (formerly Planning for Flood Risk Management in the Thames Estuary) is a joint initiative between the Anglian, Southern and Thames regions of the Environment Agency, which aims to determine the appropriate level of flood protection needed for London and the Thames Estuary for the next 100 years.

The effects of climate change, such as sea level rise, increased rainfall and storm frequency, mean that London and the Thames Estuary will be at greater risk from flooding in future years. Furthermore, many flood risk areas are undergoing development and regeneration, meaning that more people, buildings and infrastructure are likely to be exposed to the risk of flooding in the future.

Although London's existing tidal defences offer a high level of protection from today's flood risks, they were only designed to provide protection up until 2030. While slight modifications to these defences could extend their useful life by a few more years, the need for a long-term, strategic look at London's flood defences is becoming increasingly apparent. Thames Estuary 2100 is the first step of the process and will help shape the way in which future flood defence schemes are designed and managed. Taking action now will allow time for research, design and the physical construction of the defences.

Thames Estuary 2100 aims to:

• Look at tidal defences in the context of the wider Thames Estuary setting;
• Assess the useful life of the existing defences and gain an understanding of the 'drivers' (i.e. climate change, urban development, social pressures and the environment);
• Inform and gain support of political and funding partners and stakeholders; and
• Prepare and manage a programme of studies (linked with consultation) that will eventually lead to a strategy for flood risk management in the Thames Estuary for the next 100 years.