TA1028 : River Hull Tidal Barrier
taken 9 years ago, near to Kingston Upon Hull, England
In 1980, the Environment Agency constructed a tidal barrier at the mouth of the river. The structure spans the river, and a huge steel gate, weighing 202 tonnes, can be lowered into the waterway, effectively sealing the river from the Humber, and preventing tidal surges from moving up the river and flooding parts of the city and the low lying areas beyond. The gate is lowered between eight and twelve times a year, and protects around 17,000 properties. In 2009, a £10 million upgrade of the structure was started, to ensure it would stay operational for a further 30 years. The upgrade included a new drive mechanism, which raises and lowers the gate, and pivots it when it is at the top of the structure, so that it lies horizontally rather than vertically. It also included a new control system.
The River Hull is a navigable river in the East Riding of Yorkshire. It rises from a series of springs to the west of Driffield, and enters the Humber estuary at Kingston upon Hull.
Most of its course is through low lying land that is at or just above sea level, causing flooding to be a long-standing problem. Since 1980, the mouth of the river has been protected by a tidal barrier, which can be closed to prevent tidal surges entering the river system and causing flooding.
Wikipedia: Link
Most of the bridges which cross the river are movable, to allow shipping to pass. There are six swing bridges, four bascule bridges, two of which have twin leaves, one for each carriageway of the roads which they carry, and three Scherzer lift bridges, which are a type of rolling bascule bridge. Scott Street Bridge, which is now permanently raised, was originally powered from a high pressure water main maintained by the first public power distribution company in the world.