GovWire

Guidance: River Thames: restrictions and closures

Environment Agency

September 1
16:36 2023

Before boating on the River Thames, you should check the current river conditions.

When Where Whats happening
Friday 1 September 2023 until further notice Iffley Lock Lock public power is currently unavailable. You can use the lock by handwinding if a lock keeper is unavailable.
Friday 25 August 2023 until further notice Chertsey Lock Temporary repairs made to Chertsey Lock. There may be small delays when navigating through the lock prior to completion of permanent repairs
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 1 September 2023

When Where Whats happening
Thursday 17 August and Monday 4 September 2023 7pm to Midnight Caversham reach Temporary Bridge for Reading Festival 2023: a temporary footbridge will be installed across the River Thames at Scours Lane.

River restrictions: updated 29 August 2023

When Where Whats happening
Saturday 2 September 2023 8:30am to 6pm Teddington reach The Skiff Club Regatta 2023: the navigation channel will be on the Middlesex, right hand side of the river.
Saturday 2 September 2023 9am to 6pm Cookham reach Cookham Regatta 2023: the navigation channel will be on the Bourne End, right hand side of the river.
Saturday 2 September 2023 11am to 4pm Hambleden reach Regatta for the Disabled, Henley 2023: the navigation channel will be on the Remenham, left side of the river.
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.
Saturday 9 September 2023 9am to 6pm Teddington reach SUP World Series Polo Tournament 2023: the Surrey, left hand channel of Ravens Ait will be restricted by up to half its normal width. The navigation channel on the Surrey side will be on the Ravens Ait side.
Saturday 9 September 2023 10am to 5pm Bray reach Thames Punting Club Championship 2023: the navigation channel will be on the left, Maidenhead, side of the river.
Sunday 10 September 2023 9am to 4:30pm Marsh reach Wargrave Boating Club Regatta 2023: the navigation channel will be on the right, Oxfordshire side of the river.
Friday 22 September 2023 8am to 6pm Sunbury reach Walton Rowing Club Regatta 2023: the navigation channel will be on the Middlesex, right side of the river.
Saturday 23 September 2023 10am to 5pm Teddington reach Dittons Skiff and Punting Club Regatta 2023: the navigation channel will be on the Middlesex, right side of the river.

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.

To subscribe to or unsubscribe from this service, email riverthames@environment-agency.gov.uk with subscribe or unsubscribe in the subject line.

Please say whether you want to subscribe to or unsubscribe from:- closures and restrictions emails- newsletter emails- both

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Published 12 February 2020
Last updated 1 September 2023 +show all updates
  1. Iffley Lock public power is currently unavailable. You can use the lock by handwinding if a lock keeper is unavailable. We will update this webpage when public power is available again.

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