Thames Barrier test closure to be on Jubilee pageant day

Work on the Thames Barrier began in 1974 and took 10 years to complete

The annual Thames Barrier test closure will coincide with the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant.

It will close on Sunday 3 June when the river will be shut to normal navigation to allow a flotilla of 1,000 vessels to travel along in celebration of the Queen's 60-year reign.

The flood barrier closes each month for checks to ensure it is working properly but once a year a full test closure is performed over a high tide.

It will close at 09:30 BST until 23:30.

Andy Batchelor, flood risk manager at the Thames Barrier, said: "The Thames Barrier, and its associated defences, form one of the best tidal flood defences in the world and the pageant gives us a unique opportunity to test its design for a longer period than we would normally be able to.

"We will be able to maintain a higher water level upstream than downstream, giving us a chance to test how the barrier performs under these conditions."

Mr Batchelor said holding the test closure on 3 June will also ensure more stable tidal conditions on the river in central London, which will help the vessels taking part in the Jubilee flotilla.