Environment Agency
Before boating on the River Thames, you should check the current river conditions.
Navigation issues: updated 16 October 2023
| When | Where | Whats happening |
|---|---|---|
| Until further notice | Clifton weir stream | Shoal reported downstream of The Plough public house. Boaters are advised not to navigate up Clifton weir stream. |
| Until further notice | Canal Bridge, Radcot | A vehicle has damaged Canal Bridge, where Radcot Road A4095 crosses the River Thames. Please be cautious of falling debris if navigating near the bridge. |
| Until further notice | Boulters Lock | Gates on the pedestal side do not open fully. Width of the tail gates is restricted to no more than 5.5 metres (18). Please use caution when entering and exiting the lock. |
River closures: updated 16 November 2023
| When | Where | Whats happening |
|---|---|---|
| 6pm Sunday 24 September 2023 until further notice | Chertsey Lock | Chertsey Lock breakdown 2023: the lock is closed so that contractors can undertake repairs. Chertsey Lock will open between 9am and 6pm on 5 October 2023 and 6 October 2023 for emergency access only. Please see notice for information on how to register interest in emergency access. |
| Monday 6 to Friday 17 November 2023 7:30am to 5:30pm | Bell Weir Lock | Bell Weir Lock repairs 2023: Bell Weir Lock will be closed to navigation to enable engineers to undertake essential repair works to lock sluices. |
| Saturday 11 November 2023 10am to 12pm and 1:30pm to 3:30pm | Teddington reach | Kingston Small Boats Head 2023: the river will be closed to traffic between Trowlock Island and Hampton Court Bridge during the stated time. |
| Saturday 18 November 2023 10am to 12pm and 1:30pm to 3:30pm | Teddington reach | Teddington Head 2023: the river will be closed to traffic between Trowlock Island and Hampton Court Bridge during the stated time. |
| Saturday 25 November 2023 8:30am to 11:30pm and 12:30pm to 3:30pm | Molesey reach | Hampton Small Boats Head 2023: the river will be closed to all traffic 500 metres downstream of Sunbury Lock to 500 metres downstream of Platts Eyot during the stated time. |
| Sunday 26 November 2023 9:30am to 12pm | Teddington reach | Royal Canoe Club 10@10 2023: the river between Trowlock Island and Kingston Bridge will be closed to all traffic during the stated time. |
River restrictions: updated 16 October 2023
| When | Where | Whats happening |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 4 September to Friday 17 November 2023 | Teddington reach | Teddington Lock Cut Footbridge Repairs 2023: marker buoys will be in place to mark the navigation restriction. |
| Tuesday 5 September to 1 November 2023 8am to 5pm | Upstream of St Johns Lock | Halfpenny Bridge repairs 2023: temporary restrictions to access will be in place under and over the bridge arches. |
| Friday 13 October to Friday 17 November 2023 | Romney reach | Windsor Railway Bridge repairs 2023: whilst works are carried out scaffolding beneath the bridge will restrict the width of the channel by up to a half on the Windsor, left hand side of the river. |
| Saturday 21 October 2023 9am to 5pm | Chertsey reach | Burway Rowing Club Small Boats Head 2023: the navigation channel will be on the Middlesex, right side of the river. |
| Sunday 29 October 2023 9am to 4pm | Hambleden reach | Upper Thames Autumn Head 2023: the navigation channel will be in the centre of the river. All boats to navigation on the Buckinghamshire, right side of Temple Island. |
| Saturday 11 November 2023 9am to 4pm | Hambleden reach | Henley Sculls Head Race 2023: the navigation channel will be along the centre of the river. All non-racing boat traffic must pass on the Buckinghamshire, Fawley Court, right side of Temple Island. |
Planned lock closures: updated 18 August 2023
The Environment Agency carries out a programme of works on the River Thames every year between October and the end of March. This results in the closure of a number of locks sometimes for relatively long periods.
The first issue of the programme is published in August each year. This is so that river users can plan their winter cruising and boat movements well in advance.
This programme of work is subject to change, due to weather and other circumstances. Revised issues of the programme of works are published throughout the winter, so river users can keep up to date. To receive this information, sign up to the email update service.
Investment programme October 2023 to March 2024.
| When | Where | Work being carried out | Canoe portage with care during closure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 October 2023 to 31 March 2024 | Sandford Lock, Shiplake Lock, Marsh Lock, Hambleden Lock, Bray Lock and Boveney Lock | Upgrading and standardising the hydraulic control system. | Yes |
| 30 October 2023 to 31 March 2024 | Bray Lock | Improvements to tail canoe portage. | No |
| 30 October 2023 to 31 March 2024 | Teddington Launch Lock | Reconstruction of the lock walls, gate ram trench and areas of the lock side. | Yes |
Email updates and newsletter
You can subscribe to newsletters about navigation on the River Thames and email updates on River Thames closures and restrictions.
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