European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 10, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Can View a 25-minute audio visual presentation that explains How the Barrier works. Visitors learn that the Barrier spans a third of a mile across the thames at Woolwich reach. It consists of 10 separate movable steel Gates placed end to end across the River. The Gates Are pivoted and supported Between nine Concrete piers and two abutments that House the Hydraulic machinery powering the Gates. The foundations for each of the main Central piers Are huge containing 500,000 tons of Concrete enough to build a 9-mile length of six Lane Highway. When raised the four main Gates each stand As High As a five Story building and As wide 200 feet As the opening of Tower Bridge. Once the flood threat passes the Gates swing Down and lie horizontally in the River bed recessed in pre cast Concrete Sills the largest of which Are half the size of a football Field. This allows shipping some 50,000 movements a year across the Barrier to navigate the thames normally through the openings Between the piers. The whole system is tested about once a month and necessitates closing the River to navigation during the exercise which takes several hours. The Barrier and visitors Center Are easily reached by regular boat service from Westminster pier a 90-minute trip each Way or from Greenwich pier 25 minutes away or by frequent bus service from Victoria station or Greenwich. Motorists should take the a206 Woolwich Road to the site. The Center is open daily from 10 30 . Until 5 . And until 6 . From april through september. Metal domes Over the barriers piers look like sails when viewed from a distance. A working Model of the Barrier is on display at the visitors Center. April 10,1986 stripes Magazine 7