Corporate report

River Medway customer charter 2018 to 2019

Published 13 July 2018

The Upper Medway Navigation runs from the Leigh Flood Storage Area (2 kilometres to the west of Tonbridge), to Allington Lock just west of Maidstone. The Environment Agency is the navigation authority for this 31-kilometre-long stretch of river, which comprises 10 lock sites and associated weirs and sluices. Environment Agency’s navigation officers are based at Allington Lock House, the tidal gateway to the navigation.

This charter details the service the Environment Agency provides their customers between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2019. The Environment Agency will monitor and report on their performance against the standards in this charter every year.

Lock and channel maintenance

The Environment Agency’s aim is to provide a clear navigation from Easter to the end of September each year by dredging and clearing any obstructions that may inhibit the navigational channel. For any obstructions that they are unable to remove they will mark these with hazard warning buoys.

The Environment Agency will keep the lock chambers clear of debris and maintain the main channel to the depths stated in the table on the following page.

The Environment Agency will undertake any maintenance activity that prevents navigation between the end of September and Easter of the following year. They will give at least 28 days’ notice of any major planned works or maintenance via issue of a Notice to Mariners. These can be emailed directly or will be listen within 24 hours on the River Medway closure and restrictions page.

Section of river	Allington Lock to Maidstone	Maidstone to Yalding	Yalding to Tonbridge
Depth	6’6” or 2m	5’6” or 1.7.	4’ or 1.2m

Throughout the year the Environment Agency will endeavour to keep their locks, landing stages, moorings, bridges, canoe passes and slipways in clean and safe working condition for boating and visitors alike.

Boater facilities

The Environment Agency will maintain their pump-outs, toilets and shower facilities, in a clean, safe and usable condition throughout the year.

Managing water levels

The Environment Agency will manage the weirs and sluices to provide the best conditions possible for all uses of the river. Their ability to control water levels may change in flood or drought conditions. manage water levels to balance the many uses of the river, including boating, retaining enough for water companies to extract, managing flood risk and ensuring fisheries and water quality are protected. They monitor water levels on each river pen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Environment Agency manage the weirs and sluices to provide the best conditions possible for all uses of the river. Their ability to control water levels may change in flood or drought conditions.

Service at Allington Lock

The duty lock keepers help boats pass safely through Allington Lock. The normal opening times are:

1 March to 31 October: Three hours before high water and two hours after, where those hours fall between 7am and sunset

1 November to 28 February: Three hours before high water and two hours after, where those hours fall between 8am and 4pm.

The lock keepers are on standby outside these times and will respond to any passage requests subject to 24 hours’ notice.

Information for boating

The Environment Agency provides customers with information about any restrictions to using the river and issuing Notices to Mariners. River flows can sometimes be hazardous for boating, especially after heavy rain. Updated information and advice on river conditions is available on the River Medway closures and restrictions page.

The Environment Agency also provide a free text, email and phone notification service on the Allington lock website.

Strong Stream warning signs are also displayed at all Environment Agency lock sites and major river access points.

Get more information on Upper Medway Navigation bridge heights and tides at Allington Lock.

Enforcement plan and activity

The Environment Agency supports a safe and enjoyable environment for their customers. They will protect the river and income by undertaking planned enforcement activity on key dates throughout the year. The Environment Agency will place warning notices on those boats that fail to register and prosecute owners of boats that fail to respond to these notices.

Responding to incidents

The Environment Agency supports the emergency services in dealing with emergency river incidents. In an emergency, you must call 999.

To report non-emergency river-related incidents, including pollution incidents, call the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline 0800 80 70 60. They will respond as soon as we can or advise you on the best course of action.

Registering your boat

All boats kept or used on the Upper Medway Navigation must be registered with the Environment Agency. They provide a registration ‘plate’ which you must display on your boat. For boats not based on the Upper Medway Navigation, short-period registration is available to buy in advance from Allington Lock.

The Environment Agency process postal applications within 10 working days. Information on how to register boats, including the full schedule of charges and other requirements can be found on the applications and forms page.