Blakes Lock Repairs 2026: river restriction notice
Published 30 July 2026
© Crown copyright 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/blakes-lock-repairs-2026-river-restriction-notice/blakes-lock-repairs-2026-river-restriction-notice
When
Thursday 30 July 2026 until further notice.
Where
Blakes Lock, River Kennet.
Details
The damaged balance beam at Blakes Lock has been removed.
Navigation through the lock is restricted to vessels with a beam of 2.8m (9’3”).
We are awaiting repairs to the lock and we will update this notice accordingly.
You should keep to a safe speed and be aware of other boats.
You must follow any instructions given from Environment Agency staff or contractors on site.
You are responsible for avoiding collisions. You should use all available means appropriate to the situation to avoid risk.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank all river users for their patience.
Byelaws
Nothing contained in these directions shall supersede those parts of the Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993 and the UK Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996 as may be relevant. Particular attention should be paid to byelaws 24-42 of the Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993, Steering Sailing and Speed.
And Notice is hereby given, that it is provided by Byelaw 52 of the Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993 that:
The master of any vessel shall except in an emergency not pass any boat-race regatta public procession or gathering for the launch of a vessel or any other event or function which may cause a crowd to assemble on or by the river nor station his vessel thereon in such a manner as would risk obstructing impeding or interfering with such boat-race regatta procession launching event or function or endangering the safety of persons assembling on the river or preventing or interfering with the maintenance of order thereon.
The maximum penalty for breach of the Byelaws is £1,000.
Read our Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993.