Phase One: Grand Sluice April 2026

After an extremely wet winter, work on the sluice refurbishment is ready to restart. Our contractors will begin by installing the stop log liners. These are steel channels that hold temporary dams called “stop logs”. The stop logs let us block off the channel in a controlled way so that we can dry part of it out. Once the area is dry, we’ll be able to safely remove and replace the sluice gates. Watch a short clip of stop log liners being lifted into position in our Videos section- Videos | Lower Witham Flood Resilience Project | Engage Environment Agency.

This year’s activities will include grouting the downstream liners and installing the upstream ones. This is particularly challenging as the downstream phase will depend on suitable tidal windows, while upstream work will involve divers operating in the river. You may notice floating craft working on the sluice both upstream and downstream while this happens.

Contractors using a crane on floating craft downstream of Grand Sluice.

Contractors using floating craft upstream of Grand Sluice.

Progress has been slower than planned, and completing the installation of the stop log liners is expected to take the rest of this year. The stop logs themselves have already been made and are being stored ready for use. You can see a video of the stop logs in the factory being tested using a special rig designed to mimic site conditions in our Videos section- Videos | Lower Witham Flood Resilience Project | Engage Environment Agency . In the future we will begin replacing the main sluice gates. We will also install an overhead monorail beam which we’ll use to move and position the stop logs when needed.

As before, work will pause again over the winter months. In the meantime, we will post regular updates as activity on site continues throughout the year.