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Guidance: River Thames: restrictions and closures

Environment Agency

February 15
15:00 2023

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 13 February 2023

When Where Whats happening
Saturday 25 February 2023 10am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 4:30pm Caversham reach Reading University Head of the River Race 2023: the river between Purley on Thames Marina and Caversham Bridge, Reading will be closed during the stated times.
Saturday 11 March 2023 10:30am to 12:30am and 1:30pm to 3:30pm Teddington reach Kingston Head of the River Race 2023: the river between Trowlock Island and Hampton Court Bridge will be closed during the stated times.

River restrictions: updated 13 February 2023

When Where Whats happening
Tuesday 17 January 2023 until further notice Cookham Bridge Cookham Bridge Obstruction 2023: 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.
Friday 17 February, Sunday 19 February, and Wednesday 22 February to Saturday 25 February 2023 Iffley reach Rowing on and Torpids 2023: between racing the navigation channel will be down the centre of the river.
Saturday 18 February 2023 7:30am to 5pm Chertsey reach Burway Rowing Club Small Boats Head 2023: the navigation channel will be on the Middlesex, right hand side of the river.
Sunday 26 March 2023, 8am to 1pm Henley reach Phyllis Court Club Spring Time Trial 2023: the navigation channel will be in the centre of the river.

Planned lock closures: updated 15 February 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
3 January 2023 to 31 March 2023 Bray Lock Repair of the lock gate and additional safety fencing. Yes
16 January 2023 to 6 March 2023 Caversham Lock Replacement of existing timbers on head landings on both banks in the lock cut.The lock and head lock cut remain closed for this period for safety reasons. No
27 February 2023 to 31 March 2023 Marlow Lock Replacement of lock chamber timbers. No
27 February 2023 to 31 March 2023 Hambleden Lock Repair of lock gate sluices. Yes
28 February 2023 to 31 March 2023 Culham Lock Replacement of hydraulic hoses, inspection and maintenance of chamber. 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

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.

Published 12 February 2020
Last updated 15 February 2023 +show all updates
  1. Marlow and Hambleden lock closure start dates have been delayed to 27 February 2023. Caversham last day of lock closure will be 6 March 2023.

  2. New restriction notice for Phyllis Court Club Spring Time Trial (Sun 26 Mar 2023).

  3. Out of date notices removed.

  4. Under Planned Lock Closures: clarification that the lock and head lock cut remain closed for this period for safety reasons.

  5. New restriction notice for Rowing on and Torpids 2023 (Fri 17 Feb, Sun 19 Feb, and Wed 22 Feb to Sat 25 Feb 2023).

  6. Out of date notices removed.

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