Cutty Sark to the London Barriers (Site Visit)

After all the history and research on the Thames river, it was finally time to go inspect the place in person. I started my route at Cutty Sark and finished at the London Barriers. Throughout my journey i inspected the cleanliness of the River, how high the tide got, how populated it was, transportation on the Thames, how the barriers worked, how close was the river to the building and finally the surrounding area along the river. I came across a couple of very important issues that must be addressed to prevent any future catastrophes.

This is my Journey:

1- Starting point at Cutty Sark:-

I started my Journey in Cutty Sark, located in southeast London.  This area was named after the world's most famous and last surviving tea clipper. It is a quite populated space full of greenery, restaurants and beautiful buildings.










2- Couldn't we Get wet?

















whilst walking alongside the river, i couldn't help but notice people getting wet from the overflow of the river on the walking path. This short clip shows what happens to path when there is a high tide.

3- what might happen in a few years?
i came across this bar, that is built right next to the river, i have to admit it looks wonderful but what would this same site look like ten years from now, when the water level is higher?












4- The amazing view...
















The sounding area of Greenwich looks very urbanised. This view shows great sky scrapers and wonderful buildings located on the other side of the river. It also shows ships going back and forth to either move people or goods around as a fast and easy mean of transportation.

5- Is this allowed?
 After walking for a couple of miles, i realised that people no longer occupied this are, pollution seemed to be everywhere and construction was all that my eyes could see. it seemed as if this area was from outside London.





6- The O2
 The O₂, is a large entertainment district on the Greenwich peninsula in South East London. The building looked great, however i disliked the surrounding area which was full of construction, it seemed abandoned.




7- Deserted
after passing the O2, no longer was anyone walking along the river, restaurants in sight or even building, the only thing in sight was construction. this part of London seemed dead.




8- The final stop, The London Barriers...

When i reached the London Barriers, they looked fascinating, but since i researched before hand, i knew that in ten years these barriers wouldn't function at all. each year that passes the River rises, causing unexpected tides that lead these barrier to work three times as much as they would. i believe that London is in need of a new defence mechanism against floods and fast. 







Navigation:-

The Thames River is one of the best features of England, its why London exists in the first place. It was lovely and unique experiencing the river, its distinctive curvy shape, the sound of the waves, the birds, the boats and even the annoying airplanes. Unfortunately, the city has neglected the Thames, rather than praise it. Other cities like Venice, Egypt and Amsterdam have very lively river surroundings.  

When I started my journey in Cutty sark, the areas was very beautiful and lively but by the time I reached my end point by the London barriers it was the exact opposite, isolated and grey. 

FROM

TO

The Thames is known to be the tongue of London because it brings in fresh air to the city twice daily; the tides also help provide fresh drinkable water. Unfortunately the Thames went through two major pollution catastrophes, one in in the 1850s and another in the 1950s. It took reluctant effort and a great amount of time for the Thames to reach the stage it is in today. However I believe its not long until the Thames reaches a catastrophic level again due to the way it is misused and mistreated.

Along my way I came across these horrific sceneries

                                   UNRESOLVED FAT

                                    COLOUR OF THE WATER

                                     TRASH

                                    RUSTING PIPES

 i couldn't help but question..... if the people destroyed their own water source how will they stay alive?

As the sea level rises, the whole world gets effected. Since England is an Island and the Thames river runs in the middle of it, it is definitely targeted for disaster in the future. The river's tides change so many times daily, it can reach a point where the water gets too high that it overflows on land. i believe action must be taken to prevent this from happening or at least slow down the process. All of these pictures have been taken throughout the day at varies places along my journey. 

THIS FENCE WILL NEVER DISALLOW THE WATER FROM OVERFLOWING

AT SOME POINT OF THE DAY THE WATER DID REACH THE LAST STAIRS AND WENT ON LAND

HOW WILL THIS BUILDING LOOK LIKE TEN YEARS FROM NOW??? BECAUSE I AM SURE THE WATER WILL REACH THE WINDOWS AT SOME POINT

SHOULD BUILDINGS EVEN BE THAT CLOSE TO THE WATER?

DURING MY WALK I CAME ACROSS THIS PRIVATE PLANTED AREA, IT REALLY NICE, BUT COULD IT GO UNDERWATER AT SOME POINT?

THE MOSS MARKS WHERE THE WATER WAS DURING A HIGH TIDE. IF THE WATER LEVEL RISES, MOST OF THIS AREA WILL FLOOD. ACTION MUST BE CONSIDERED. 

I believe that history repeats itself, twice has the river been severely polluted that people evacuated from its great stink then restored to its main function, as well as the river unexpectedly flooding, destroying both lives and lands and restored once more. However nowadays due to the mass disruption on the entire earth causing sea levels to rise, if London was to be faced with another dreadful pollution or flood, there might no coming back. i believe its a battle against time. After my walk along the Thames and my research i suppose that change is crucial. 

Every day that goes by, more countries think of how they can inhabit seas, oceans and river, to prevent any future catastrophes, damage and maybe loss of life. i think that England should start doing the same, since its tides are unstable, its river levels are rising and its barriers can no longer support the river's impacts.