Guidance

River Thames: restrictions and closures

Navigation on the River Thames may be restricted or closed in certain areas. Find out where and when these restrictions and closures are.

Before boating on the River Thames, you should check the current river conditions.

Navigation issues: updated 1411 March 2025

When Where What’s happening
20Thursday 13 March 2025Hambleden 9amLockTemporary, intermittent lock closures to 4pmallow for lock surveys. Lock closures should last no more than one hour, 2 times a day.
BoveneyWednesday 12 March 2025Shiplake Lock BoveneyTemporary, intermittent lock closures to allow for lock surveys. Lock publicclosures powershould willlast beno unavailablemore duringthan theone statedhour, times.2 Youtimes cana useday.
Tuesday the11 March 2025Osney LockTemporary, intermittent lock byclosures handwindingto ifallow afor lock keepersurveys. isLock unavailableclosures should last no more than one hour, 2 times a day.
3 February 2025 until further notice Osney reach East Street moorings, Oxford, are closed for public safety purposes, both waterside and landside. No alternative moorings are available.
4 January 2025 until further notice Osney reach Sunken narrowboat causing obstruction 50 metres upstream of Sheepwash junction route to Isis Lock on Oxford Canal. Boaters should navigate with extreme caution.
9 December 2024 until further notice Caversham reach Fallen tree in navigation just downstream of Reading Bridge on north bank.
22 June 2024 until further notice Benson Lock Shoal reported downstream of lock. When navigating upstream the shoal is on the right hand side of the navigation channel. Boaters should navigate with caution when entering or exiting the tail gates.
23 April 2024 until further notice Caversham reach Submerged boat tied to left hand bank looking upstream, just upstream of St Mary’s Island. Boaters should navigate with caution.
20 April 2024 Until further notice Whitchurch head lock cut Obstruction to navigation above head gates. Boaters should navigate with caution when entering or exiting the upstream lock cut.
1 October 2023 until further notice Teddington Launch Lock Lock is closed for repairs to lock walls, gate ram trench and areas of the lock side.
Until further notice Clifton weir stream Shoal reported downstream of The Plough public house. Boaters are advised not to navigate up Clifton weir stream.
Until further notice Canal Bridge, Radcot A vehicle has damaged Canal Bridge, where Radcot Road A4095 crosses the River Thames. Please be cautious of falling debris if navigating near the bridge.
Until further notice Boulters Lock Gates on the pedestal side do not open fully. Width of the tail gates is restricted to no more than 5.5 metres (18’). Please use caution when entering and exiting the lock.
Until further notice Botley Road Bridge, Oxford Obstruction to navigation 50 metres upstream of Botley Bridge. Boaters should navigate with extreme caution.

River closures: updated 10 March 2025

When Where What’s happening
Thursday 13, Friday 14, and Monday 17 March 2025 Osney reach Botley Road Bridge works 2025: emergency closure to allow essential works to the bridge.
Saturday 15 March 2025 10:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 3:30pm Teddington reach Kingston Head of the River Race 2025: the river between Trowlock Island and Hampton Court Bridge will be closed to all traffic, other than authorised boats, during the stated times.
Wednesday 19 March to Wednesday 9 April 2025 Teddington Lock Teddington Barge Lock repairs 2025: Teddington Barge Lock will be closed during the stated times to allow divers to carry out essential repairs.

River restrictions: updated 3 March 2025

When Where What’s happening
Thursday 21 November 2024 until further notice Temple reach Temple Bridge safety works 2024: the central arch of Temple Bridge will be closed for navigation. Boaters can navigate via the two side arches.
Sunday 26 January, Sunday 9 February, and Sunday 4 May 2025 Iffley reach Isis Winter League 2024: in between races, a clear navigation channel will be in place along the centre of the river.
Thursday 27 February until Thursday 27 March 2025 Sonning Lock Sonning Lock works 2025: works are being undertaken to replace the anchor points at the lock.
Sunday 16 March 2025 9am to 3pm Reading to Marlow Thameside Race 2 2025: there will be approximately 300 canoeists taking part in the race. When in the vicinity of canoes, please slow down and check your wash.

Planned lock closures: updated 20 February 2025

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 10 weeks in advance of the first planned lock closure. 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 November 2024 to March 2025.

When Where Work being carried out Canoe portage available during closure*
31 January 2025 to 7 March 2025 Marlow Lock Replacement of anchor blocks and collar straps. Yes
10 March 2025 to 1 April 2025 Romney Lock Replacement of anchor blocks and collar straps. Yes

*All river users must exercise caution when using the canoe portage whilst works are ongoing.

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.

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Updates to this page

Published 12 February 2020
Last updated 1413 March 2025 + show all updates
    1. Boveney Lock public power will be unavailable on Thursday 20 March 9am to 4pm. You can use the lock by handwinding if a lock keeper is unavailable

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