TEAM2100: Barnes and Mortlake project

Overview

Update December 2022

We are pleased to announce that the flood repair works at Barnes and Mortlake are now completed. Our refurbishment works ensure the ongoing flood protection of the local residents, businesses, and wider community. We would like to thank everyone for their views and for their patience during the works.

Please note that Jubilee Gardens is temporarily closed as the council are returfing and clearing the site from construction works. We aim to open the gardens as soon as possible.

Please see a list of repairs we have been completed for the Barnes and Mortlake project:

• Installed new flap valves to replace the existing timber flap valves, which will ease maintenance operations and provide a highly effective way to prevent water backflow into the culvert
• Maintained the culverts, including the sealing of any cracks with an epoxy resin, and root material cleared from the culverts to ensure water can flow freely
• Installed a platform above the outfall chambers with a demountable winch lifting system to lift the flap valves. The platform will not be present when not in use
• Removed part of the existing riverbank above the outfall chamber to install a ventilation grid, which will allow the winch lifting system and the flap valves to be inspected via camera
• Sealed and repaired cracks in the culvert joints using an epoxy resin
• Enlarged the manhole covers for entering the chamber to meet the current standards
• Installed a winch lifting system that will enable the flap valves to be inspected safely from ground level and allow the culverts to be cleared of debris

Update November 2022 - Tow Path and Jubilee Garden

The Tow path is partially open at White Hart. We are aiming to reopen the Tow path at Elm bank and the Jubilee Gardens by the end of November. We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause and for the loss of the public amenity space during these essential works. Since our July update we have completed the following on site:

• Installed new flap valves to replace the existing timber flap valves, which will ease maintenance operations and provide a highly effective way to prevent water backflow into the culvert
• Maintained the culverts, including the sealing of any cracks with an epoxy resin, and root material cleared from the culverts to ensure water can flow freely
• Installed a platform above the outfall chambers with a demountable winch lifting system to lift the flap valves, which will not be present when not in use
• Removed part of the existing riverbank above the outfall chamber to install a ventilation grid, which will allow the winch lifting system and the flap valves to be inspected via camera

We shall be completing the following:

• Installing a winch lifting system that will enable the flap valves to be inspected safely from ground level and allow the culverts to be cleared of debris
• Enlarging the manhole covers for entering the chamber to meet the current standards

Traffic update

Please note that traffic management will be in place intermittently throughout the week and until the end of the project. We aim to have minimum disruption and will only impose traffic management and closures when necessary. We are aiming to keep this to a minimum until the end of the works. Please see images below for a map of lane closures and traffic management.

Noise update

Please note that there will be some machinery works that could create some noise during the working hours will 0800 to 1800 hrs on weekdays near White Hart and Elm Bank. We are trying to minimise noise disruption through floor padding and wall panelling however there may be some noise when machinery is used.

July 2022 - Newsletter update

Please see below the correct version our July Newsletter for the Barnes and Mortlake project. Our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Update June 2022 - Temporary closure of parking bays

Now that the works have started, it will require the temporary closure of parking bays from the week commencing 27 June 2022, to provide a safe working space during culvert works. Please note that the temporary closure of parking bays will be needed intermittently throughout the works until project completion in late September 2022. Any new information regarding the use of parking bays will be uploaded onto the project website. Please see roads in which parking bays will be temporarily closed intermittently below:

• Elm Bank Gardens
• Railway Side
• White Hart Lane

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and please note that we aim to complete the works with minimum disruption. When parking bays will need to be temporarily closed, signs will be put up at least 24 hours in advance of the closure to make everyone aware. 

We will require parking suspensions in the locations of MH1 & MH2 in Elmbank Gardens MH3 in Railway Side and MH5 to MH9 in White Hart Lane as per the drawings below:

Update June 2022

Works have now started at Barnes. Works are due to be completed in August and all of the equipment will be removed from the site by the end of September 2022. In order to limit our impact on the park we will return the compound area and return the park to its current state.

Tow path and lane closure update

Please note that the tow path will be closing after Jubilee weekend on the 6 June 2022.

There will be a lane closure next to the White Hart Pub starting provisionally from Monday 6 June 2022 and all week intermittently. Traffic management will be put in place. The closure will take place between 10:00 and 15:00. Please see the map below of the lane closure and traffic management that will be put in place.

Please note that the lane closure will be needed throughout the works ending in late September 2022. Any updates regarding the lane closure going forward will be uploaded onto this project page.

Please note we have updated our project factsheet and our FAQ's.

Please see below the link to the public information event which was held on the 22 April 2021.

Public information session

Flood defence works to take place in Barnes and Mortlake

There will be some flood defence work taking place in Barnes and Mortlake to strengthen and improve the tidal defences to protect homes and communities.

The proposed works will be taking place across the following locations:

• An outfall into the River Thames near White Hart Lane, postcode SW14 8SW.
• An outfall into the River Thames near Elm Bank Gardens, postcode SW13 0NS.
• Two culverts running under White Hart Lane and Elm Bank Gardens, originating from Beverley Brook.

The majority of works will take place between 08:00 until 18:00, Monday to Friday. However, as the works on the outfalls are tide dependant, there may be several instances where extended working hours will be required, from 06:00 to 22:00. We are taking steps to ensure that local residents, businesses and the general public remain well informed regarding the works taking place, and the footpath closures and diversion routes will be clearly signposted.

As a result of the constrained working environment along the towpath and the movement of plant along the towpath, it will be closed from Barnes Bridge to Jubilee Gardens. There will be a sign-posted diversion in place which will be step-free, and lead cyclists from the towpath to Mortlake High Street, while pedestrians will be able to use designated crossing points and the pavement adjacent to Mortlake High Street. The site compound will be set up in Jubilee Gardens, which will result in the loss of approximately half the available green space. However, once the works are completed, the compound site will be reinstated.

Our project factsheet gives further information about the project and potential impacts. The Frequently asked questions (FAQs), will be continually updated as the project progresses.

Please see below a map of the project works 

Please see below an image of the proposed works of the Culvert in Barnes and Mortlake. 

The Scope of works

The current system of culverts (that store water during periods of high tide) and outfall structures work alongside the tidal barrier at Ashlone Wharf helping to reduce flood risk in the area by preventing tidal water from the Thames entering into Beverley Brook. The existing outfall structures are currently equipped with ageing timber flap valves which are at the end of their useful life, and are situated within a confined space with no means of opening or inspecting the flap valves from ground level. Periodically the flap valves are prevented from closing due to large branches lodging themselves under the gates and posing a flood risk.

The proposed works will install High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) flap valves to replace the existing flap valves, which will ease maintenance operations and provide a highly effective way to prevent water backflow into the culvert. Additionally, The Thames Estuary Asset Management (TEAM) 2100 will:

• Install a winch lifting system which will enable the flap valves to be inspected safely from ground level and allow the culverts to be cleared of debris
• Remove part of the existing riverbank above the outfall chamber to install a ventilation grid, which will allow the winch lifting system and the flap valves to be inspected via camera
• Seal and repair cracks in the culvert joints using an epoxy resin
• Enlarge the manhole covers for entering the chamber to meet the current standards.

The function of the White Hart Lane Culvert and Elm Bank Culvert:

The two culverts originate from the Beverley Brook, and branch off at Priests Bridge (White Hart Lane Culvert) and Westfield Sluice (Elm Bank Culvert). The function of the culverts is to carry water from the Beverley Brook to the river Thames during high water levels in the Beverley Brook to reduce the risk of flooding further downstream. The culverts also act as a water storage area during high tides, when the flap valves at the two outfalls into the River Thames are closed, preventing water to flood up stream, and hold the water from the Beverley Brook until the tide lowers again and the water can flow into the Thames.

Background

The Thames Estuary Asset Management (TEAM) 2100 Programme is a 10 year capital investment programme to refurbish and improve existing tidal flood defences, one of the key first steps in delivering the Thames Estuary 2100 Plan. The programme runs until March 2025. The TEAM2100 programme pioneers a new asset management approach for the Environment Agency, investing early to maintain the condition of our flood defence assets to reduce the risk of failure. The programme started in 2014 and is being jointly delivered by the Environment Agency, Jacobs and Balfour Beatty, along with other suppliers. The works in Barnes and Mortlake are being carried out by TEAM2100.

Within the Thames Estuary, a complex network of defences, including 9 major barriers, around 330km of walls and embankments, and over 400 other structures (such as flood gates, outfalls and pumps), work together to protect over 1.4 million people and £321 billion worth of property from tidal flooding.

Climate change, population growth and aging flood defences mean that tidal flood risk will increase over time, unless this risk is carefully managed. In 2012, the Environment Agency and partners published the Thames Estuary 2100 Plan, which sets out a strategy to manage this risk until the end of the century and beyond.

You can read more about Thames Estuary 2100 here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/thames-estuary-2100-te2100/thames-estuary-2100-te2100 and download a copy of the Plan here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/thames-estuary-2100-te2100