The Dartford Creek Barrier resembles a giant concrete guillotine, bridging the River Darent just before it meets the Thames. The barrier supports two 160-tonne gates which can be dropped to hold back the rising tide. In 2019 it was used about 12 times, whenever water levels threatened to overwhelm the river embankments.
The surrounding marshland and fields lie several metres below the maximum tidal height of the river. The vulnerable floodplain stretches into the nearby towns of Dartford and Crayford (along the River Cray tributary).
Upriver, the much larger Thames Barrier protects central London. On the north bank, the Barking Creek Barrier, a similar (but larger) drop-gate barrier, protects the floodplain of the River Roding.
The Environment Agency usually closes Dartford Creek Barrier when high ‘spring’ tides (which occur roughly once a month) combine with stormy weather. In 2019, the Dartford Creek Barrier closed about 12 times. 2018 saw seven closures and 2017 saw eight. The barrier closed 12 times in 2016 to prevent flooding.
Around the barrier
The Darent here is one of the last remaining natural tidal creeks in London. Silting and reduced flow mean that very few boats now disturb the wildlife, but this was once an important trade artery for industry, with river traffic recorded as far back as pre-Roman times.
The Long Reach Tavern once stood close to this isolated point. Demolished in the late 1950s, all traces of the tavern were finally lost during the construction of the barrier (which opened in 1982) and the associated flood defences. The low-lying fields behind the river wall were once home to Joyce Green Airfield, which saw action in the First World War.
Although the Dartford Creek Barrier looks as though it might provide a useful footbridge across the Darent, there is currently no public access. Instead, the river path heads inland, along the Darent and Cray rivers. This creates a lengthy, but interesting, detour for walkers of the Thames Path.
The Dartford Creek Barrier – useful links
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Darent
https://www.layersoflondon.org/map?record=3697
