Dear boater,
The Environment Agency is investing £1.2 million this winter, as part of its usual annual programme of essential works to maintain key navigation structures along the nationally important and globally iconic River Thames.
This investment is needed to replace or keep well maintained 45 River Thames locks, their associated structures, and towpath bridges in reliable condition for the continued safe enjoyment by boaters and all visitors.
The River Thames flows through the 45 lock sites from its source point just above Lechlade, Gloucestershire via Oxford, Reading, Maidenhead, Windsor onwards past Hampton Court to Teddington Lock after which it continues its journey towards London and the Estuary to the North Sea and English Channel.
Listed below are the locks that will be closed during the 2016 to 2017 investment programme. The locks will be closed from the first date listed and will re-open on the day after the final date.
Buscot Lock
16 January 2017 to 27 January 2017
Repairing and making health and safety improvements to lock gates sluices and seals.
Shifford Lock
9 January 2017 to 24 February 2017
Re-sheeting lock gates, repairing balance beam and re-fixing rubbing timbers.
King’s Lock
1 November 2016 to 16 December 2016
Re-sheeting lock gates, repairing balance beam and removing silt from travel lines of lock gates. Head mooring embankment works and additional revenue moorings.
Clifton Lock
14 November 2016 to 16 December 2016
Strengthening works to lock gates.
Day’s Lock
14 November 2016 to 25 November 2016
Replacing sluice rod.
Goring Lock
1 November 2016 to 16 December 2016
Refurbishing lock chamber walls and replacing of worn rubbing timbers.
Marlow Lock
9 January 2017 to 10 February 2017
Replacing lock chamber rubbing timbers and re-fixing all grab chains.
Penton Hook Lock
1 November 2016 to 16 December 2016
Repairing lock gates.
We send our investment programme to you as early as possible to help you plan your cruising over the winter. However, this programme is subject to change – for the most up-to-date version, please see:
www.gov.uk/river-thames-conditions-closures-restrictions-and-lock-closures
where you will also find the information displayed on a map.