Thames Estuary Asset Management 2100 Programme (TEAM2100)

various, United Kingdom

Year

2015 - present

Duration

ongoing

Cost

£450 million

Location

United Kingdom

Project achievements

Environment benefitted

Protects people, property and habitats from flooding

Area improved

Manages flood risk along 350 km of the River Thames

Used engineering skill

TEAM2100 is a pathfinder project for the Environment Agency, driving innovation at every stage

Protecting people, property and the environment from flooding

In the face of rapidly changing conditions produced by climate change, the Environment Agency’s Thames Estuary 2100 plan, published in 2012, manages flood risk along 350 km of the River Thames.

It has a mission to protect 1.42 million people and property worth over £321bn, as well as environmental habitats and history.

This plan created the foundation for a pathfinder programme: the Thames Estuary Asset Management 2100 Programme, or TEAM2100.

TEAM2100 acts as the first 10-year implementation vehicle for the investigation, refurbishment and replacement of tidal flood defences.

It started in 2015 and includes the design and development of an extensive flood management programme - the largest in the UK of its kind.

It includes a series of fortifications, embankments, flood gates, pumping stations, outfalls and major barriers to protect London, Essex and Kent from tidal flooding along the River Thames.

The programme covers nine major tidal barriers, 290 outfalls, 348 frontage gates and 104 pumping stations.

TEAM2100

TEAM2100 is the Environment Agency’s 10-year programme to refurbish and replace tidal flood defences in London and the Thames estuary.

TEAM2100 will carry out the first part of the Environment Agency’s Thames Estuary 2100 Plan, which manages tidal flood risk in the Thames estuary throughout the 21st century.

Did you know …

TEAM2100 is 1 of 40 of the UK government’s ‘pathfinder’ programmes – and a catalyst for change within the Environment Agency.
It’s an innovative asset management programme and the first part of the Environment Agency to become accredited with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 2017.
Cradle to cradle certified timber has been used on flood defence walls to encourage habitat creation.

How does TEAM2100 work?

The programme aims to reduce the cost of managing tidal flood defences by investing in the right places at the right time.

It prioritises potential investment in high-risk flood defences and uses engineering and structural investigations to predict asset deterioration and intervention strategies.

TEAM2100’s engineering is supported by digital solutions.

With more than 4,000 assets and an area spanning over 330km, geospatial technology is important to the asset management approach.

Project examples

The work at Canvey Island will maintain the existing high level of tidal flood risk protection to thousands of homes, businesses and infrastructure on the island into the future.

The project started on site in January 2023 and, in light of increasing sea levels due to climate change, will protect tidal defences against erosion and extend their useful life to 2070.

At Tilbury Docks, TEAM2100 worked on an initiative with Port of Tilbury London Limited and the Environment Agency that will safeguard thousands of local homes and businesses against flood risk.

Located in the Port of Tilbury, the Environment Agency’s existing Tilbury Tidal Barrier formed part of the Thames defences that reduce flood risk to the communities of Purfleet, Grays and Tilbury.

When planning the replacement of the two sets of lock gates, the Port of Tilbury partnered with the Environment Agency to construct dual function lock gates.

Three sets of lock gates were installed, with the outer set acting as a replacement flood defence and a mechanism to hold water in, maintaining the water level of the vast dock basin behind.

The construction phase started in 2021, with the new lock gates installed in 2022.

At the Barking Barrier, the project team is carrying out maintenance work at the Barking Creek Barrier Gate. This tidal flood barrier was constructed in the 1980s as part of the Thames flood defence system.

In 2015, it was found that parts of the Queensborough Creek Barrier needed refurbishment.

This involved the replacement of the barrier gates, the installation of a new two-storey control building and silt management system, and the dredging of the channel.

How is TEAM2100 making a difference?

Alongside protecting millions of people, as well as property and the environment, TEAM2100 is making a difference in terms of innovation.

TEAM2100 is a pathfinder project for the Environment Agency, which means that the programme explores better solutions and new ways of working.

We are driving innovation at every stage of the asset lifecycle.

This approach has resulted in over 300 innovative ideas being identified, a significant number of which have been implemented, trialled or recommended for upcoming trials.

The innovations range from data management, drone technology and 3D augmented reality to safety applications, intelligent infrastructure and green infrastructure trials.

TEAM2100 isn’t only innovating for the benefit of the Thames Estuary, but also for the wider flood, coastal and risk management community.

Project milestones

The programme started in 2015. At this time, TEAM2100 carried out detailed engineering and structural investigations into the condition of tidal flood defences in London and the Thames estuary.
In 2018, the refurbishment of the Queenborough Barrier was completed.
Installation of the new lock gates at the Port of Tilbury in 2022, with the project team winning the ICE East of England Team Achievement Award in 2023. This project replaced three pairs of lock gates at the Port of Tilbury. The outer pair act as a flood defence, protecting the port and Tilbury town. They replace an old Environment Agency tidal flood barrier.
In January 2023, work started on site for the Canvey Island Southern Shoreline Revetment Project, one of the largest projects the Environment Agency is currently working on in the UK. This project is also the single largest investment in Canvey Island's tidal defences since they were completed in the early 1980s.

What engineering skills were used in the project?

Project and programme management
Civil engineering
Asset management
Design management
Geotechnical/ground engineering
Structural engineering and investigations
Water and environmental engineering management, including carbon calculating and offsetting, natural solutions and habitat improvement
Flood risk engineering
Project/programme controls
Construction management – preconstruction, temporary works design, site management and Construction Design and Management (CDM)
Geographic information modelling
Lifecycle modelling
Mechanical and electrical engineering (MEICA)