News from the Medway Navigation

Progress at East Farleigh Sluice

The urgent repair work on Gate 2 has now been successfully completed, and the gate is back to full automatic operation. This means we can once again manage river levels effectively - supporting safe navigation and helping to reduce flood risk during periods of high flow. It’s an important milestone in keeping the sluice system working safely and reliably.

Gate 1 is still out of service for now, but a full programme of works is already planned for spring 2026. In the meantime, the restoration of Gate 2 gives us the confidence and capability to continue managing river levels safely.

Completion of Teston Lock improvement works

We completed our programme of improvement works at Teston Lock in summer 2025, marking a significant upgrade to one of the key structures on the River Medway. The project renewed the ageing lock gates and sluice equipment, improved the stability of the surrounding embankments, and enhanced public access for walkers, paddlers, and boaters. Our contractors, Volker Stevin, also carried out essential safety upgrades, including better operational controls and more reliable water‑level management. With the work finished, Teston Lock now offers a more resilient, safer, and more accessible riverside environment, supporting both navigation and the wider community that relies on this stretch of the Medway. These upgrades form part of a wider investment in the Upper Medway Navigation to ensure safe and sustainable boating for years to come.

Tackling anti‑social behaviour at Medway lock sites

Lock sites along the River Medway have seen an increase in anti‑social behaviour, including removing life rings, graffiti, jumping from sluice structures and speeding RIBs. These incidents put both people and river infrastructure at risk.

To address this, we are installing CCTV at all lock sites and increasing joint patrols with Kent Police and the Fisheries team. These measures aim to deter unsafe behaviour and help keep the Medway a safe, welcoming place for everyone.

Navigation Team praised for exceptional partnership working

The Medway Navigation Team recently stepped in to support Southern Water with an issue affecting vital water abstraction infrastructure at Yalding.

After a request from the Mid Kent Hydrology Team, the Navigation Team were asked to look into pumping difficulties at Southern Water’s inlet, which supplies water to the Bewl Bridge Reservoir. Acting quickly, team members attended the site over the weekend to dredge and assess the inlet. The results were immediate. By Sunday, Southern Water had doubled the volume of water they were able to abstract, and by Monday this had doubled again. This outcome highlights the strength of partnership working across teams and organisations. Southern Water were so impressed with the team’s professionalism and technical expertise that they have asked the Navigation Team to support with further maintenance work in the future.

Bringing the River Medway to the classroom

This year, we visited Barming Primary School, where we spoke with Year 6 pupils about the River Medway. We discussed how weirs, sluices and locks work, and why it’s so important to stay safe around the water. The children were really interested in the different signs and safety equipment we use on our sites, and they enjoyed learning how tools, like what3words, help the emergency services. We also talked about the many people who use the river, the hidden dangers to look out for, and what to do if someone gets into trouble. To round things off, we headed outside for a fun throw‑rope activity, with two teams racing to “rescue” their classmates from the pretend river.

We’ve also welcomed groups to Allington Lock throughout the year, including several visits from Allington Primary School and local scout and brownie groups. They joined us for geography sessions, site tours, demonstrations of the lock and sluice gates, and plenty of brilliant questions about the river, its history, and what it’s like to work here.