The Environment Agency (EA) has today (Monday, 24 August) introduced navigation restrictions at Teddington Lock due to prolonged dry weather, sustained high temperatures and reduced river levels.

From 9.30am on Monday, the following restrictions to navigation will be in place:

• During Lock and Weir Keeper hours, lock passages will be limited to one upstream movement and one downstream movement every 30 minutes.
• Lock and Weir Keepers will coordinate vessel movements and pack locks wherever possible to maximise the number of craft passing through each lock cycle and minimise water loss.
• Overnight lock closures will be introduced to allow the reach to recover and recharge. Passage through the lock will not be possible 30 minutes before the end of Lock and Weir Keeper hours and will be unavailable until 30 minutes after they start work the following day.
• Outside these hours, passage will be available one hour before and one hour after published high tide times.
• Boaters are advised to plan their journeys carefully and ensure suitable overnight moorings can be reached before lock closure times.
• boaters may use lock lay-bys for mooring during overnight closure periods, free of charge, if they reach a lock after it has been closed for the night.

Speaking about the restrictions, the EA said: "These arrangements will remain under regular review and may be amended in response to river conditions and water resource requirements.

"Further updates will be issued, as necessary."

It added: "These measures are necessary to conserve water resources, maintain navigable water levels and support essential public water supply abstractions.

"The Environment Agency is actively managing available water resources to balance the requirements of navigation, the environment and drinking water supplies."