Local MPs, Munira Wilson, Sarah Olney, and Monica Harding have written a letter to the Environment Agency expressing their concern over the condition and the safety of Teddington Lock.

The letter said: "Teddington Lock is a vital part of our local water infrastructure, yet it is our understanding that both the Launch and the Barge Locks are effectively inoperable. The Launch Lock has now been closed for nearly two years. Despite efforts to repair and refurbish it, the lock has remained inoperable due to funding restraints. While the Barge Lock remains predominantly operational, it frequently fails and is in a serious state of disrepair."

While the MPs state that they are aware of funding challenges the Environment Agency is currently facing, they ask the agency why previous repairs to the lock were "cut short" and highlight how local businesses will be impacted by the reduction of traffic on the river should the locks remain "unusable".

They also share the concern Teddington RNLI has for the safety of river users stemming from the lock's current state and ask the Environment Agency to keep them updated on the situation regarding Teddington Lock.

You can read the full letter here.

Richmond Council announced that the major repair works to the lock, which began in June 2023, were finally complete in March this year.

However, the Environment Agency's repairs to the lock's main lock, which started last year, stopped in March this year before completion, causing delays for those using the river for business or pleasure, as well as emergency services such as the London Fire Brigade, Metropolitan Police and the RNLI.