Environment Agency
Due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency, some of our services will be restricted until further notice.
You can find more information on what services are affected by our response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on our locks and facilities page.
Before boating on the River Thames, you should check the current river conditions.
River closures: updated 5 December 2022
| When | Where | Whats happening |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 12 December 2022 10am to 3:30pm | Osney reach | Botley Bridge Inspection 2022: the river will be closed for short intervals during the working day. |
| Saturday 4 February 2023 9:30am to midday and 1:30pm to 4pm | Molesey reach | Hampton Heads 2023: the river between Garricks Ait and Sunbury Lock will be closed to all traffic other than authorised boats during the stated times. |
| Saturday 11 February 2023 9:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 3:30pm | Molesey reach | Molesey Head Races 2023: the river between Sunbury Lock and Garricks Ait will be closed during the stated times. |
River restrictions: updated 2 December 2022
| When | Where | Whats happening |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 3 October to Friday 16 December 2022 8am to 6pm | Marlow reach | Marlow Bridge Refurbishment 2022: a working platform will be under the bridge and work equipment will be in the area at this time. The working platform will be marked with arrows to direct navigation. |
| Monday 31 October to Friday 9 December 2022 | Teddington reach | Kingston Road Bridge overhead repair works 2022: whilst scaffolding is erected to facilitate these works the navigation may be restricted under the Bridge. |
| Saturday 10 December 2022 9am to 4pm | Sunbury reach | Walton Small Boats Head 2022: the navigation channel will be on the old river and the Middlesex, right hand side of the river. The Desborough Channel will be closed to normal navigation. |
| Saturday 21 January 2023 10am to 3:30pm | Sunbury reach | Weybridge Winter Head 2023: the navigation channel will be on the Middlesex, right hand side of the river and the old river around Desborough Island. |
| Sunday 22 January, Sunday 5 February, and Sunday 30 April 2023 | Iffley reach | Isis Winter League 2023: in between races the navigation channel will be in the centre of the river. |
| Saturday 11 February 2023 9am to 4pm | Henley reach | Henley Fours and Eights Head Race 2023: the navigation channel will be in the centre of the river. |
Planned lock closures: updated 5 December 2022
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 2022 to March 2023
| When | Where | Work being carried out | Canoe portage with care during closure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 October 2022 to 21 December 2022 | Rushey Lock | Installation of lock chamber access steps. | No |
| 31 October 2022 to 27 January 2023 | Romney Lock | Lock refurbishment, lock side resurfacing, wall work and additional safety fencing. | No |
| 3 January 2023 to 31 March 2023 | Bray Lock | Repair of the lock gate and extension of the existing canoe portage. | Yes |
| 16 January 2023 to 31 March 2023 | Caversham Lock | Replacement of existing timbers on head landings on both banks in the lock cut. | No |
| 13 February 2023 to 31 March 2023 | Goring Lock | Lock chamber walkway resurfacing and concreting on lock edge. Installation of safety fencing on the lock island. | Yes |
| 27 February 2023 to 31 March 2023 | Marlow Lock | Replacement of lock chamber timbers. | No |
| 28 February 2023 to 17 March 2023 | Culham Lock | Replacement of hydraulic hoses, inspection and maintenance of chamber, installation of fenders on lock cut bridge. | Yes |
| 28 February 2023 to 31 March 2023 | Hambleden Lock | Repair of lock gate sluices. | 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
We will use your personal information in line with our privacy notice.
Last updated 5 December 2022 +show all updates
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Under Planned Lock Closures, changes to closure dates for 6 locks but not Romney and Culham locks. These changes are mainly due to high water levels and Red boards on the Thames which have impacted on start times.
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New closure notice for Botley Bridge Inspection (Mon 12 Dec 2022).
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