Restrictions due to Coronavirus 2020: lock and river restriction notice
Updated 28 May 2020
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When
Wednesday 27 May 2020 until further notice.
Where
St John’s to Teddington.
Details
In response to and in line with revised government coronavirus guidance, we have been working hard to ensure that the non-tidal River Thames can once more be used by all types of vessel.
We have now completed our surveys of every reach, marking all identified obstructions in the main navigation channel and can confirm that boating by all types of vessel can resume.
Please be aware:
- when travelling upstream keep red obstruction marker buoys on your left, and green buoys on your right
- when travelling downstream, keep red buoys on your right, and green buoys on your left
- single yellow marker buoys can be passed on either side
In all cases, pass well clear of marker buoys, and take care.
You should also exercise caution in the margins of the river, and around bends, where river and weather conditions have resulted in tree debris collecting and some shallows forming.
All locks are self-service until further notice, but public power functionality has been restored at all locks that have it installed (Godstow to Molesey except Blakes).
Other issues boaters need to be aware of are set out in the following table.
| Iffley reach (upstream of Iffley Lock) | A van has sunk mid-channel approximately 150 metres upstream of Folly Bridge. Navigation is possible by smaller vessels but should be carried out with extreme caution. |
|---|---|
| Bell Weir Lock | Passage by prior arrangement only. |
| Sunbury Lock | Lock closed due to a sunken boat in the main channel above the upstream lock cut. No attempt should be made to navigate in this area. Our Area Operations Management Team have arranged for divers to carry out a survey on Friday 29 May, with the intention of removing the boat in the week commencing 1 June. |
| Teddington Lock | Passage by prior arrangement only. |
Passage through Bell Weir and Teddington locks is currently by prior arrangement only and availability is limited.
At Bell Weir Lock, this is due to debris jammed in one of the tail gates. We are working to resolve the issue as soon as we can. Until then, we are allowing limited use on lock keeper power to avoid damage to the gate which could take the lock out of operation completely.
Teddington Lock has no public power system.
If you need to use these locks please email us at WaterwaysThames@environment-agency.gov.uk or telephone 03708 506 506 during normal business hours from Monday to Friday.