CH2M is embarking on the second phase of the Thames flood protection project, which will see the biggest every improvement programme to protect London and Kent from flooding.

The scope has now been agreed for the second year of CH2M’s work on Thames Estuary Asset Management 2100 Programme (Team2100), which will include construction, detailed designs, appraisals and investigations throughout the Thames Estruary, featuring improvements to the major barriers.

In total, 1.25 million people are protected by the Thames Estuary tidal flood risk management system, while £200 billion of property is also protected.

The system is made up of major barriers, outfalls, pumping stations, flood gates, embankments and walls on the River Thames and its tributaries.

Peter Nicol, CH2M’s global water business group president, said: “The innovative approach being implemented on Team2100 is generating significant benefits in efficient delivery, having generated more than 100 innovation ideas and implementing six of these innovations to date.”

CH2M was selected by the Environment Agency as its delivery partner on Team2100 two years ago. Team2100 is listed as one of the government’s top 40 infrastructure schemes and will invest up to £300 million on tidal defences across the next 10 year period.

Major investment is needed in order to make sure that the assets continue to provide protection against flooding into the next century, even though sea levels continue to rise.

A new barrier and increased wall heights will be needed later in the century, however the focus of the first 10 years of investment will continue to be on essential improvements and maintenance.

Meanwhile, an £18m project to reduce flooding on a stretch of railway near Oxford has been completed.

The Oxford to Didcot Parkway line was shut for over two weeks while the flood prevention work was being carried out at Hinksey, which runs adjacent to the River Thames.