Service updates to 1227 of December 22, 2022
Romney Lock – Romney Lock is temporarily open for passage until building work on site resumes on the 3rdrd January 2023. Passage must be booked through [email protected]or by calling the lock office on 01753 860296.
Radcot Lock – TThe water point at Radcot Lock is closed until further notice.
Molesey lock – Pump out of service until further notice.
Benson lock – ThThe public walkway above Benson Weir will be closed until further notice.
St. John’s lock – Thand pump-out, is back in service and operating normally cards available from lock keepers
Shiplake lock – Emptying is out of service until further notice.
Hurley Lock – Public toilets are not available.
Mapledurham lock – The drainage facilities are temporarily unavailable due to frozen pipes.
Boulters block – Pedestal side gates do not open fully. Please be careful when entering and exiting the lock.
Boveney block – Thand pump-youyou Elsano facilitiess are out of service until further notice.
Marsh Lock Horse Bridge – The towpath brid offge upstream from Marsh Lock will be closed until further notice for safety reasons. Our operations teams and facility specialists will inspect the bridge to determine the actions needed to safeguard bridge users. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Hours of operation of the lock keepers
We aim to offer assisted passage to our boating customers during the boating season from 1st April to 30th September. We will also provide assisted changeover over the Easter bank holiday weekend and spring and autumn transitional seasons where these fall out of season. Each lock will be manned by a resident, relief or seasonal lock keeper and/or volunteers, as appropriate and, where practicable, to provide cover for staff breaks, weir work and maintenance. There may be occasions where we are unable to achieve this due to circumstances beyond our control, such as staff illness.
Out of season between 1st October and 31st March assisted ride may be available but cannot be guaranteed.
Our Lock Service Rota can be found here: River Thames: lock keeper service.
- July and August: from 9:00 to 18:30
- May, June and September: 9.00am to 6.00pm
- April and October: 9am to 5pm
- November to March: 9.15am to 4pm
One hour lunch break between 1-2pm when coverage is not available.
Public power is supplied to the locks with the exception of Teddington Lock and the upstream Oxford beam locks.
Navigation signs
- When traveling against the current keep the red navigation buoys to your left and the green navigation buoys to your right.
- When traveling downstream, keep the red buoys to your right and the green buoys to your left.
- Single yellow marker buoys can be passed on both sides.
In all cases, keep well away from navigation buoys. Pay attention to the possible benches inside the bends of the river.
24 hours and mooring block
These moorings are maintained by Environment Agency Lock and Weir Keepers. Notices are published on the sites and yachtsmen must present themselves to the lock keeper on duty upon arrival to report their stay.
Related links
River Thames: restrictions and closures – Information on any closures and restrictions on the non-tidal Thames.
River Thames: locks and facilities for boaters – Information on boating facilities at Environment Agency locks on the Thames and non-tidal River Kennet.
River and sea level – Environment Agency service showing the latest river and sea level data from around the country.
GaugeMap – An interactive map with flows, groundwater levels and other information on British and Irish rivers.
Environment agency – Nautical pages on the Thames including directions for vessel registration and general river information.
Visit the Thames – Everything you need to know to make the most of the Thames.
Port of London Authority (PLA) – Guidance for pleasure and commercial craft wishing to navigate the tidal River Thames. Includes up-to-date tide information and navigational warnings issued for the Port of London.
Trust of the canal and the river – Plan your canal cruise with the Canal and River Trust’s regularly updated site.
Navigation on the River Wey – A tranquil stream which runs nearly 20 miles through the heart of Surrey and empties into the Thames near Shepperton.
Condition of the River Wey – Information on the conditions of the River Wey.
