Maintenance
Maintenance projects
In December 2024, we completed Emergency Works to fill a scour hole that had developed in the bank of the channel downstream of Mill Lane Bridge, Taplow. We filled the hole and stabilised the bank with tonne bags of rock and sand lowered into place by helicopter.
Final work to the scour hole will be completed in 2026.
We are confident that the Jubilee relief channel can continue to be operated at full capacity if required this winter.
We will implement enhanced monitoring during operation of the Jubilee. In the unlikely event of any significant changes to the scour hole, we still have the option to mobilise emergency repairs, as we did in December 2024.
November 2025: Taplow and Marsh Lane weirs mechanical and electrical refurbishment
This project consists of mechanical and electrical refurbishment works to the 3 weir gates at Taplow Weir and 2 gates at Marsh Lane Weir. This work is part of our planned preventative maintenance programme. Work started in August 2025 and will continue at Taplow Weir through winter 2025 to 2026.
Is it important to stress that the Jubilee will be used to full operating capacity to reduce flooding in the Maidenhead Windsor and Eton areas when required.
To ensure that as little disturbance is caused as possible, our contractors Fairfields are working between 07:30 and 18:30, Monday to Friday. Temporary welfare cabins are on Mill Lane Bridge, away from houses and securely fenced off. Deliveries to site are avoided during peak pedestrian times.
Update September 2025: Bank Repairs to Jubilee Flood Relief Channel downstream of Mill Lane Bridge, Taplow
Taplow weir, viewed from upstream. September 2025 Summary
Modelling to increase understanding
The scour hole that appeared in the bank at Taplow in December 2024 was caused by strong eddies that had eroded part of the base of the embankment. This caused a section above to subside during the exceptionally wet winter.
Our consultants have carried out Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling to help us predict the behaviour of water flow at this location and give us a better understanding of how the scour hole occurred. This CFD modelling shows that the temporary repairs that were carried out in December will be stable when the Jubilee is in operation.
Permanent repairs
We have considered completing a further temporary repair to the scour hole. However, based on the evidence gathered from the CFD modelling we don’t believe this is required as water velocities above the rock bags are low and unlikely to cause significant additional erosion.
We will complete the permanent repairs in 2026.
We will share further information about timescales and what the works will consist on this page over the winter, once we have received designs from our consultant.
In the meantime we are confident that the Jubilee can be used to full capacity if required, to continue to reduce the risk of flooding from the River Thames to approximately 3000 homes and businesses in the area.
Enhanced monitoring
We would like to reassure the community that when the Jubilee is operated, our operations staff will continue to carry out daily monitoring of the scour hole location. In addition, lock keepers making changes to the operation of the weir gates at Taplow will be asked to monitor this area. If people notice any changes to the bank, we ask that you call our Incident hotline number 0800 80 70 60 available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In the unlikely event of any significant changes to the scour hole, we still have the option to mobilise emergency repairs, as we did in December 2024.
Taplow Weir improvements completed in 2023
As the Jubilee Flood Relief Channel approached its 21st year of service in 2023, the Environment Agency spent about £1m to install a stop log lifting beam at Taplow Weir on the Jubilee. This is a large metal structure that bridges the channel (pictured below). It allows for lowering and raising of stoplogs – horizontal steel barriers used to hold back the flow of water, which then allows testing and maintenance of the weir’s sluice gates.
The stoplogs are stacked up between metal slots on either side of the channel to create a single barrier. Previously, a large crane had to be brought onto site whenever the stoplogs needed to be used. The works provide improved access to the sluice gates, as well as making it easier to lower and raise the stoplogs. Installing the lifting beam place over 3 months during the winter of 2023, with the Environment Agency’s contractors working only when the Jubilee was not operating as a flood relief channel. These works formed part of the Environment Agency’s annual maintenance programme that ensures its flood defence assets remain in good working order.