River Wide Information
River Thames Winter Lock Closures
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The Environment Agency is planning a significant programme of investment across River Thames locks between November 2026 and March 2027.
The programme will deliver essential works to help maintain the condition, safety and resilience of our lock infrastructure and will require the temporary closure of a number of locks to navigation while works are undertaken.
We are working to maximise the investment that can be delivered through our existing contractor framework, coordinating works wherever possible to make the best use of available resources and funding.
The programme and associated closure periods set out below reflect our current outlook. As planning, design and contractor programming continue, individual schemes and closure dates remain subject to refinement and change. We will provide updated information as soon as possible and encourage river users to check the latest advice when planning journeys during the winter works period.
Listed below are the locks that will be closed or have restrictions to navigation in place during the 2026 / 2027 winter closures. Any locks listed as closed will have the closure in effect from the first date listed and will re-open on the day after the final date.
Please note, as our contractors refine their construction programme (which may reduce the period in which locks are closed) we will update the closure notice, giving at least 10 days' notice before any change to the start date of that closure.
Other Works
We are planning lock gate winch point works at Boulters, Cookham, Hurley, Caversham, Mapledurham, Cleeve and Abingdon locks between March and August 2027. Navigation customers may experience some short periods of disruption while equipment is moved, and the works are carried out. Our local teams and contractors will manage the works to keep any disruption to a minimum, and no formal lock closures are expected to be necessary.
Keep Up To Date
We send our River Thames winter lock closure list to you as early as possible to help you plan your cruising over the winter. However, this programme is subject to change - for the most up to date version, please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/river-thames-restrictions and-closures.
You can also subscribe for email updates on River Thames closures and restrictions. To subscribe to this service please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/river-thames-restrictions and-closures and select 'Get emails about this page'.
You can view the current River Thames conditions at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/river thames-current-river-conditions.
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