Overview

Updated on 24 October 2023

What is this page?

This page contains the latest updates from the West London Communities project. It provides the context for why the project is being delivered and also gives you links to important related information, including recent newsletters, FAQs and other related projects going ahead that link to this one. Links to relevant documents can be found at the bottom of this page.

We will update this page every 6 months at this stage of the project, so the next expected update will be in April 2024.

Latest project update

We are now getting into contract with Binnies, the River Thames Scheme (RTS) modelling consultant, to do additional bespoke modelling for the study area in the vicinity of Teddington. This follows the recent publication of the RTS modelling.

These modelling outputs will give a better indication of the change in flood depths and extents resulting from the change in Thames Barrier operation. This work is due to be carried out in December 2023/January 2024 and will inform the Strategic Outline Business Case which will commence in April 2024.

These modelling outputs will give a better indication of the change in flood depths and extents as a result of the change in Thames Barrier operation. This work is due to be carried out in December 2023/January 2024 and will inform the Strategic Outline Business Case which will commence in April 2024.

The development of the Strategic Outline Business Case will provide engagement opportunities with communities and other stakeholders to input into the longlisting of options to be considered. It will also provide opportunities for input into the appraisal process, which includes what options are taken forward. This will then help develop the shortlist of options as the project progresses.

We should have more information on this in our next update, scheduled for April 2024.

West London Communities Project Context

The Thames Barrier and associated defences were originally designed to manage the tidal risk upstream of the Barrier to Teddington Weir for the duration of its lifespan to 2070. Over the last few decades, the original remit has expanded to manage fluvial flooding to areas further upstream of Teddington Weir. This means the Barrier now closes more frequently than it would under the original operating procedures. If this elevated operation continues, then the Barrier will not be able to fulfil its original intended purpose with the required level of reliability. As part of the Thames Estuary 2100 Plan, which sets out how we can manage rising sea levels and increasing tidal flood risk on the Thames, we need to manage the number of Thames Barrier closures to preserve its lifespan. We provide further information on Barrier reliability and maximum closures in the related documents below.