Flood Protection 'To Last 60 Years'

London will be protected from flooding by the Thames Barrier for at least the next 60 years, the Environment Agency has said.

The flood defences in the capital have provided a higher degree of protection than anticipated, according to research conducted by the agency, and the barrier will work until at least 2070.

The new study has increased its life span by 40 years as it was originally designed to provide protection in extreme weather events up to 2030.

The current network of flood defences on the Thames, upstream and downstream of the barrier, will need to be upgraded from around 2035, which is sure to interest home insurance providers.

A new barrier, or modifications to the current barrier will need to be operational by 2075 to protect the capital from rising sea levels and storm brought on by climate change.

The construction of a new Thames Barrier at Long Reach might be more economical than modifying the old one, according to economic analysis, but the existing protection will mean a decision need not be made until mid century.