Past Stoppages & Restrictions Listing

Whitchurch Lock

UPDATE on 03/06/2024:

Whitchurch Lock has been repaired and is now open to boat traffic.

EMERGENCY CLOSURE (6pm Sunday 2 June 2024 until further notice)

Whitchurch Lock will be closed to all navigation due to an obstruction under the head gate. Divers will attend site on Monday morning 3 June 2024.

Elton Lock

ADVICE (Monday 3 June 2024 until further notice)

We are aware that there may be a fault with the left-hand paddle at Elton Lock, however, it is still functional and navigation through the lock is still possible.

All reaches

Update on 31/05/2024

Following a short period of dry weather the river is returning to normal navigation levels. However Pershore Bridge was assessed this morning and we advise that boaters should navigate with care, moor up and check from the bank before proceeding due to high flows from the Pershore reach and hydro station. Other bridges may have reduced air draft until the levels fall completely to summer levels.
 
We have set our state of readiness to FLOODCON 5, however care must be taken at this moment in time as there will be flotsam and jetsam in the navigation following the period of high water. 
 

Denver Lock to Salters Lode Lock Crossing

Updated 31/05/2024

We are pleased to inform you that the de-silting works at Denver are now complete ahead
of the original estimate to be completed w/c 27th June.
Our Contractors have now moved on to Salters Lode tidal Lock entrance and have begun
de-silting operations. Works are anticipated to last into mid-June.
We will provide regular updates as the work progresses.

Lower Barnwell Lock

Updated 30/05/2024

The Emergency Navigation Closure Notice for Lower Barnwell Lock is now rescinded as the electrical issue has been resolved.

EMERGENCY CLOSURE (Thursday 30 May 2024 until further notice)

Please be aware that Lower Barnwell Lock is closed until further notice due to electrical issues.

Cotterstock Lock

ADVICE (Friday 31 May 2024 until further notice)

We would like to make you aware that the right-hand v door paddle at Cotterstock Lock is currently out of action until further notice.

Wadenhoe Lock

Update 29/05/2024:

The mechanical issue has now been resolved and, therefore, this notice has now been rescinded

EMERGENCY CLOSURE (Wednesday 29 May 2024 until further notice)

Please be aware that Wadenhoe Lock is closed until further notice due to mechanical failure on the guillotine gate.

River Nene Navigation

ADVICE (Monday 27 May 2024 until further notice)

Please be aware that following removal of Strong Stream Advice, there is still excess water within the river system. River levels will remain elevated for a period of time and headroom will be reduced at some sites. Please check inverted gauge boards where present, know your craft airdraft and if any doubt about your vessel’s ability to pass safely beneath low structures, do not proceed.
Flows will also likely be faster than normal whilst additional water within the river system is
discharged, this is especially relevant through restricted cross sections of channel such as
around bridges. Flows may also be increased at river control structures such as sluices and weirs. Vessel masters should anticipate higher than normal and unexpected flows, (cross) currents and turbulence, which may be encountered on the navigation at present.
Whilst mooring, larger changes than normal in river level may be encountered and mooring lines and ropes should allow for this. Please be advised to visit your craft regularly and check in frequently with any crew if navigating and proceeding through locks at the present time as additional hazards such as debris may be present. There may also be other hazards present on the navigation that may be encountered whilst underway and have yet to be reported such as debris / obstructions. Anyone attempting to navigate should proceed with caution, please report any issues encountered via our 24 hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
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UPDATE 24/05/2024

Harvington Lock Failed Bottom Gate. Works Complete Lock Fully Open.

The lock was dredged, an underwater survey undertaken, development and design of an engineering solution was completed.

Parts were manufactured and delivered by our supplier and the engineering team have worked solidly over two days to install the parts and run tests on the lock operation.

We are pleased to report that the new solution works successfully and the failed bottom gate has been repaired without the need for a lengthy de-water operation which would have closed the lock for a number of months.The lock is fully open with no width restriction as of Saturday 25^th May 2024

UPDATE 14/05/2024

Update 14^th May 2024

Following five months of flooding which included four severe flood events the river has been hit hard.

We are pleased to report that we have cleared the post flood works except for the restriction at Harvington Lock. However we have developed an engineering solution that should mean we will not have to drain the lock down which would have meant a stoppage of many months.

Binton Bridge – Closed due to bridge repairs carried out by the highway authority.

UPDATE. Fully opened without restriction Wednesday 24/04/24.

Barton Lock – Partially blocked with debris so we advise that it is unsafe to operate and navigate.

UPDATE. We managed to access the site and cleared the lock and entrances and the lock is navigable as of Wednesday 17/04/24.

Harvington Lock – One bottom gate has failed so only passable by boats with a maximum beam of 11 feet.

UPDATE. One Damaged gate is now strapped closed. Dredging of the lock and a survey has been undertaken. An engineering solution has been designed and we await the delivery of parts. Once delivered we will then urgently do the repair.

Evesham Lock – Top waiting mooring (Weir Barrier) blocked with large tree debris and unusable so we advise that it is unsafe to navigate downstream through lock.

UPDATE. Top waiting mooring of 70 feet in length has been cleared. Warning the rest of the barrier and boom remain covered with debris. We are waiting instruction form the EA.

Pershore Lock – Blocked by debris and silt so impassable.

UPDATE. This was cleared and the lock is operable as of Tuesday 23/04/24.

Nafford Lock – Lock blocked by debris and silt so impassable.

UPDATE. This was cleared Wednesday 23/04/24 and is passable with care. There are shallows above the lock so care should be taken when navigating.

Tewkesbury Lock – Due to damage caused by submersion of the control panel the lock was inoperable.

UPDATE. Following significant work by our contractors to rebuild the panel the lock became operable as of 08/03/24.

All Lock sides and moorings – are covered with silt and debris and are unsafe to use.

UPDATE. We have cleared all our 17 lock sites.

Parts of the navigation channel – may have large debris, submerged hazards and be silted so care should be taken when navigating.

UPDATE. We have surveyed the river and checked for obvious hazards however care still should be taken when navigating. Any major hazards we will issue separate warnings about.

Evesham pump out unit – is currently inoperable due to damage caused by submersion.

UPDATE. Our contractors have rebuilt the pump out and it is now fully operable.

Pershore pump out unit – Currently inoperable due to damage caused by submersion.

UPDATE. Our contractors have refurbished this and it became operable as of 15/03/24.

 We advise that safe navigation is possible with care.

In the coming weeks our teams, volunteers  and contractors will continue to work through the post flood recover works as well as continuing to assess the navigation.

We will issue updates as the situation changes.

Temple Bridge

Updated 10/06/2024

Temple footbridge obstruction removed from navigation issues.

NAVIGATION ISSUE (Friday 24 May 2024 until further notice)

Right hand arch going upstream has a submerged obstruction causing a navigation hazard. Navigate with caution.

Ely Pump Out

Update 24/05/2024:

Ely Pump Out is now operational and the Navigation Notice has been rescinded.

ADVICE (Wednesday 22 May 2024 until rescinded)

Please be aware that the Pump Out is out of action with immediate effect. A replacement part has been ordered and is due to be installed on Friday 24 May 2024.
We will rescind this notice as soon as it is confirmed the Pump Out is fully operational

Jesus Lock and Baits Bite Lock

EMERGENCY CLOSURE (Tuesday 21 May 2024 until further notice)

Please be aware that Jesus Lock and Baits Bite Lock are closed to Navigation until further notice due to structural lock island safety issues and are undergoing further investigation.
For further information, please visit Conservators of the River Cam Website.

Temporary Navigation Arch Works & Scaffold Removal
Binton Bridge

RESTRICTION (Monday 20 May until Friday 24 May 2024)

Contractors are working from mobile pontoon in the navigation arch. Vessels may have to wait while the pontoon is moved out of the arch.
Scaffold removal from the bridge

Navigation Special Notes:
There are pilot boats on station, one upstream and one downstream of the bridge to liaise with skippers and the contractor to manage safe passage. 
Submerged debris may be in the channel with side and under the bridge.
Navigate with care, at slow speed and stay in the centre of the arch. Boats navigating downstream have right of way. Take direction from Pilot boat operators and banksmen.
Exposed scaffolding on non-navigation arches will be in place while it is being removed.

Billing to Clifford Hill

ADVICE (Wednesday 15 May 2024 until further notice)

Please be aware of low levels between Billing and Clifford Hill due to the operation of a third-party sluice. We are working to get the issue resolved but, in the meantime please navigate with caution
whilst in the area.