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.
Navigation issues: updated 24 April 2023
| When | Where | Whats happening |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Monday 13 March 2023 to Tuesday 9 May 2023 | Various locks | Works on lock gate winching points. No Impact to boat passage. Pedestrian access over lock gates may be temporarily re-routed to avoid working areas. |
River closures: updated 20 March 2023
No river closures currently planned.
River restrictions: updated 26 April 2023
| When | Where | Whats happening |
|---|---|---|
| Until further notice | Cookham reach | Cookham Bridge Obstruction 2023: river restriction notice: a large tree is blocking the second bridge arch on the left looking upstream. |
| 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. |
| Monday 20 March to Monday 12 June 2023 | Henley reach | Henley Royal Regatta course construction 2023: boats travelling downstream should navigate on the left hand side of the river within the regatta course. Boats travelling upstream should navigate on the right hand side of the river. |
| Thursday 6 April to Friday 5 May 2023 | Abingdon reach | Nuneham Railway Viaduct repairs 2023: the southern arch of Nuneham Railway Viaduct will be closed for boat users safety, and emergency construction works. The northern arch will be navigable, but caution is to be taken. |
| Thursday 27 April 2023 | Abingdon Lock Head layby | Abingdon Lock Head layby 2023: restricted access on head layby. |
| Friday 5 May to Monday 8 May 2023 | Old Windsor Lock to Boveney Lock | Coronation Concert 2023 - His Majesty King Charles III: we wish to ensure the safe transit and mooring of all boats owners intending to travel to or navigate through Windsor during this time. |
| Sunday 14 May 2023, 8am to 5:30pm | Bray reach | Maidenhead Junior Regatta 2023: the navigation channel will be on the Taplow, towpath, right hand side of the river. |
| Sunday 14 May 2023, 10:30am to 5:30pm | Culham reach | Abingdon Dragon Boat Racing 2023: the navigation channel will be on the north, left side of the river looking upstream. |
| Saturday 20 May 2023, 8am to 6pm | Sunbury reach | Walton and Weybridge Regatta 2023: the navigation channel will be on the Middlesex, right hand side of the river. |
| Saturday 20 May 2023, 9am to 2pm | Bell Weir reach | Wraysbury Skiff and Punting Club Skiff Race 2023: boaters should take up a position to the right of the centre of the navigation channel. There will be no racing channel set up. |
| Saturday 20 May, Sunday 21 May and Wednesday 24 to Saturday 27 May 2023 | Iffley reach | Rowing On and Summer Eights 2023: racing will be held at half hourly intervals. Whilst racing is in progress, the marshals may request boaters to moor and wait, for a period of no longer than 15 minutes until the current race has finished, before proceeding up or downstream through the course. |
| Sunday 28 May and Sunday 9 July 2023, 6am to 11am | Marlow reach | One on the River Triathlon 2023: the navigation channel will be on the left, Windsor and Maidenhead, side of the the river. |
Planned lock closures: updated 10 March 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 2022 to March 2023
| When | Where | Work being carried out | Canoe portage with care during closure | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work completed | Marlow Lock | Lock now open to navigation. | ||
| Work postponed | Hambleden Lock | Lock is open to navigation. Work to repair lock gate sluices has been postponed and essential work will be undertaken in the future. | ||
| 3 January 2023 to 31 March 2023 | Bray Lock | Repair of the lock gate and additional safety fencing. | Yes | |
| 13 March 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 | |
| 14 March 2023 to 31 March 2023 | Culham Lock | Replacement of hydraulic hoses, inspection and maintenance of chamber. | 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.
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