The River Thames is to receive a major upgrade this winter, with improvements to 19 locks
The River Thames is to receive a £4.75 million upgrade this winter, with major improvements to 19 locks, the Environment Agency has announced.
Better mooring facilities, new lock gates, improved walkways and refurbished locks are just some of the renovations being carried out from Rushey Lock in Oxfordshire to the last lock at Teddington, from 1 November to the end of March 2007. Other improvements include new shower facilities and public toilets.
The work is all part of the Environment Agency’s contribution to the Thames Waterway Plan – a strategy to rejuvenate the River Thames. The Plan is being delivered by the River Thames Alliance, chaired by the actor and boating enthusiast, David Suchet.
To help boaters plan their journeys on the river this winter the Environment Agency has produced a map detailing what work is taking place and how long locks will be closed for. For the latest version please see www.visitthames.co.uk/winterworks. For electronic updates email visitthames@environment-agency.gov.uk or call 0845 988 1188 and when prompted press 1.
Click here to download a map showing what work is taking place (308kb jpeg file)
Photo: This year Shepperton Lock will have out-of-hours power fitted to the lock gates.