Environment Agency
Before boating on the River Thames, you should check the current river conditions.
Navigation issues: updated 2 January 2024
| When | Where | Whats happening |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 2 January 2024 until further notice | Abingdon Lock | Abingdon Lock is currently closed for emergency repairs. Engineers are currently on site. |
| Friday 10 November 2023 until further notice | Teddington reach | Partially submerged boat reported, approximately 100 metres downstream of Thames Ditton Island on the Hampton Court, right hand side of the river. Please use caution when navigating through this stretch of the river. |
| 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 27 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. |
River restrictions: updated 15 December 2023
| When | Where | Whats happening |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 4 September 2023 to Friday 2 February 2023 | Teddington reach | Teddington Lock Cut Footbridge Repairs 2023: marker buoys will be in place to mark the navigation restriction. |
| Sunday 29 October, Sunday 26 November, Sunday 21 January, Sunday 4 February, and Sunday 18 February 2024 | Iffley reach | Isis Winter League 2023 and 2024: the navigation channel will be in the centre of the river for large vessels. Smaller vessels will be allowed to use the transit lane downstream and follow racing boats upstream. |
| Monday 30 October 2023 to Monday 25 March 2024 | Iffley reach | Old Gasworks Bridge works 2023: these works will reduce the air draft of the bridge to 2.2 metres. This will be clearly signed on the bridge, together with hazard warning signage. |
| Saturday 27 January 2024 10am to 3:30pm | Sunbury reach | Weybridge Winter Head 2024: the navigation channel will be on the Middlesex, right hand side of the river. The Desborough Channel will be closed to navigation. |
Planned lock closures: updated 21 December 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.
We will update closure notices in all cases to ensure customers have at least 10 days before works commence.
Investment programme October 2023 to March 2024.
| When | Where | Work being carried out | Canoe portage with care during closure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 January 2024 to 31 March 2024 | Hambleden Lock | Upgrading upstream and downstream lock gate sluices. | Yes |
| 2 January 2024 to 31 March 2024 | Bray Lock | Improvements to tail canoe portage. | No |
| 1 October 2023 until further notice | Chertsey Lock | Emergency works to fix the anchor plates that secure the gates to the wall | Yes |
| 1 October 2023 until further notice | Teddington Launch Lock | Reconstruction of the lock walls, gate ram trench and areas of the lock side. | Yes |
During the closure of Teddington Launch Lock navigation will be maintained by using the barge lock on site.
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.
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Last updated 2 January 2024 +show all updates
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Abingdon Lock is currently closed for emergency repairs. Engineers are currently on site. We will update this page with further information as soon as possible.
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River Thames lock closures - update to Investment Programme 2023 to 2024 winter closures.
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Caversham Lock has been repaired and is now open to boat traffic.
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Caversham Lock is currently closed for emergency repairs. Engineers will be on site shortly. We will update this page with further information as soon as possible.