Teddington Launch Lock Repairs

The Environment Agency is carrying out improvement works to refurbish and recondition the Teddington Launch Lock that will result in a reliable, operational lock, for decades to come.

In September 2025, our construction partner, Bam Nuttal, mobilised to site to begin the refurbishment works. A summary of the project’s progress to date can be found below:

  • Ground investigations undertaken and completed
  • Lock gates removed from the lock chamber and transported to the workshop for refurbishment
  • Propping installed in the lock chamber to support the lock walls during construction
  • Temporary stop log barriers established, allowing the dewatering of the lock chamber
  • Further scanning and investigations into the strength and structure of the lock walls
  • Fish rescue of an estimated 5,000 fish across 11 species, from the lock chamber during dewatering
  • Lock wall reinforcement works commenced
  • Lock gate repairs are progressing well

Please note, the Thames path at Teddington Lock and Ham Street car park will have minor diversions for short periods of time throughout the works and will be clearly marked on site. At all other times the Thames Path remains open as usual. Diversions will not impact Teddington Footbridge. We are continuing to work closely with Richmond and Wandsworth Councils to give advanced warning of any diversions and to limit the inconvenience to our customers.

Use of the Teddington Barge Lock will continue throughout construction to maintain navigation.

Next Steps

The focus will be on installing the new supporting structures in preparation for putting the lock gates back in later this summer. At the same time, detailed planning is underway for the testing that will be needed once the gates are reinstalled. The gates need to be tested both when the lock is empty and when it is filled with water. This means the lock chamber will need to be filled and drained several times. Testing will be carried out on the new mechanical and electrical equipment being installed to make sure everything is working properly.

The project team has been working hard to get the lock back in operation by the end of the boating season. However, due to the complexity of the refurbishment and the extent of the structural improvements required, this is now unlikely to be achieved.

It is currently anticipated that the launch lock will be back in operation in the autumn. Some additional works will continue at site beyond lock’s re-opening. These works are expected to conclude in the Winter

Use of the Teddington Barge Lock will continue throughout construction to maintain navigation.

For more information please visit this section.