Stoppages & Restrictions Listings

ADVICE (Wednesday 1 July 2020 until further notice)

Please be aware of a large willow tree that has fallen in the River Great Ouse about 100 metres downstream of Queen’s Park bridge.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and wish to assure you we will look into this when it is practicable to do so.

Navigation is possible and we advise caution if proceeding.

Update on 01/07/2020:

This notice is now rescinded and both 48 hour moorings are open for navigation. If needing to open the pedestrian gates at either of these moorings then you will need to use your navigation key.

ADVICE (Monday 29 June 2020 until further notice)

Please note we have temporarily closed the above moorings whilst we undertake improvement to the site’s security accesses against unauthorised personnel.

ADVICE (Friday 26 June 2020 until further notice)

Please note the Denver car park and slipway has been closed until further notice.

The pump-out and water point facilities remain open as usual.

Please be advised that our weed cutters have already covered this stretch. However, due to the growth on certain reaches being very rapid we have deployed the weed cutters on the system again. You should expect there to be some volumes of weed within the navigation channel and particularly in the shallower margins.

Please ensure any inboard engine cooling filters and weed strainers are checked and cleared regularly to avoid engine overheating problems. It may also be advisable to run engines in reverse throttle for short periods at regular intervals to try
and clear propellers of weed whilst underway on the navigation.

We thank you in advance for your patience until our weed crews get to cover the whole system.

For further information, please contact the Environment Agency on 03708 506506 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday and ask for the Great Ouse Waterways team

RESTRICTION (Wednesday 1 July until Friday 31 July 2020)

From Wednesday 1 July, assisted passage through Teddington Lock will be available from 7am – 9pm and for boats wishing to use the lock as a gateway on or off the non-tidal Thames, we will be offering one tidal transit every 24 hours.
For safety reasons, members of the public cannot operate Teddington Lock themselves. Therefore transit will not be possible through the night and from 9pm until 7am, the lock will be closed to traffic.
We will be regularly reviewing this as the boating season progresses with a view to return back to a full 24hr service as soon as we can.
Please note: visiting licences are currently not unavailable at the lock but these can be purchased by phoning our National Customer Contact Centre Boat Renewal Line on 0330 159 1983.
Guidance for using the Lock
 Transiting through the lock will be practised with social distancing.
 Members of staff will be on site to operate the pedestal but will have limited ability to assist with ropes in order to keep a safe distance.
 We recommend at least one crew member to be present to manage ropes and react to any incident that may occur.
 No transactions will be made. Visiting licences are available by calling the number above.
 Mooring charges are currently suspended but laybys should not be used for no longer than 24hours.
 Skippers and passengers are to remain on vessels throughout the whole process and are not to congregate once on a mooring.
 If heading onto the tideway, please make sure you have booked with Brentford or other suitable lock or mooring. Please arrive with plenty of time and wait on the layby for
instructions from the lock keeper.

ADVICE (Thursday 25 June 2020 until further notice)

Please be aware the water point at Wellingborough Embankment is open for use.

The Elsan and pump out are currently out of order and awaiting repair as soon as possible.

NAVIGATION CLOSURE (2.45am Thursday 25 June 2020 until further notice)

Overnight a tree has fallen across the canal blocking the navigation and the towpath. The situation will be reviewed at first light.

ADVICE (7am Monday 22 June until 7pm Monday 28 September 2020)

Please be advised third party contractors will be onsite at Lune Aqueduct on the Lancaster Canal to carry out Phase 1 in the construction of the Flood Defence Wall along the South/East bank of the River Lune.
Whilst the towpath and navigation will remain open, the riverside pathway will be closed throughout the works. Signage will be installed informing all our customers and path users of the works ahead.
We politely request all customers to approach the area with caution and to listen to any advice that may be given by the onsite banksmen.
An update will be provided in September 2020 when Phase 2 of the works to the Southwest of the aqueduct are due to commence.

RESTRICTION (Tuesday 23 June 2020 until further notice)

A tree has fallen into the navigation between lock 68, Greens Lock and lock 69, Potters Lock. The tree is partially obstructing the navigation but can be avoided.
Our team are aware, we will update this notice when we are able to provide an estimate of when the tree will be removed.
Please take care when navigating through this section.

Intersection of: Lock 1 Tinsley to Tinsley No.12 Lock on Sheffield & Tinsley Canal and Holmes Lock to Holmes Lock on Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigations

Update on 22/06/2020:

Contractors are repairing the lock quadrants and towpath around lock 7.

ADVICE (Tuesday 23 June 2020 until further notice)

We have closed the 48 hour visitor mooring pontoon at Sutton Cheney Wharf for essential maintenance and repairs.

ADVICE (8am Tuesday 23 June 2020 until further notice)

We are pleased to advise that the waste bins adjacent to the customer service facilities at Saul Junction, have now been moved to the new enclosure in the main car park.
The new compound is not yet locked and local signage will be in place to direct customers to the new location.
This change is part of our drive to achieve Green Flag status at Saul, improve the site as a visitor destination and make our waste facilities more efficient.
Please help us to keep Saul tidy and to recycle by placing refuse carefully in the appropriate bin within the new compound. Please do not leave rubbish at the old location.

ADVICE (Tuesday 23 June 2020 until further notice)

Please be aware that we have had reports of a large tree that has fallen in the River Great Ouse about 200m south west of the Great Barford river bridge.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and wish to assure you we will look into this when it is practicable to do so.

Navigation is possible and we advise caution if proceeding.

For further information, please contact the Environment Agency on 03708 506506 between 9am and 5pm Monday
to Friday and ask for the Great Ouse Waterways team.

ADVICE (Monday 22 June 2020 until further notice)

Please note that we have been made aware of the existence of toxic blue green algae on certain parts of the navigation. These are more likely to be on back waters, within marinas and where there is slower flowing shallower water. The bright blue / green presence of this algae can be quite distinctive and should be avoided by people and especially swimmers and pets.

We therefore strongly advise against swimming in the river for this and other pathogens that may be present and also
refraining from allowing dogs to go into the water at present. As usual good hygiene practices should be followed after any
contact with river water or river banks including thorough hand washing before eating or as soon as possible after visiting the river.
Should anyone feel unwell after being in contact with river water people should seek urgent medical advice and assistance and let your health professional caring for you know that you have been in recent contact with river water and that toxic blue green algae could have been present. This will enable them to more rapidly test and better treat you and avoid any delays in administering any courses of medication.

For further information, please contact the Environment Agency on 03708 506506 between 9am and
5pm Monday to Friday and ask for the Great Ouse Waterways team.