River conditions

Find out the latest river conditions and strong stream warnings by:

• visiting our River Thames Conditions website
• calling our Floodline on 0345 988 1188 (24-hour service) to hear recorded information and advice (find out about call charges)
• talking to lock staff

River closures: updated 27 September 2018

There are currently no unplanned river closures. Please see Planned Lock Closures below.

River restrictions: updated 18 October 2018

Planned lock closures: updated 17 August 2018

The Environment Agency carries out a programme of works on the River Thames every year between October and Easter. This often results in the closure of a number of locks for relatively long periods.

So that river users can plan their winter cruising and boat movements well in advance, the Environment Agency publishes the first issue of their programme of works in August each year.

This programme of work is subject to change, due to weather and other circumstances. Revised issues of the programme of works are published throughout the winter, so customers can keep up to date. To receive this information, sign up to the email update service by emailing
riverthames@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Listed below are the locks that will be closed during the 2018 to 2019 investment programme. The locks will be closed from the first date listed and re-open on the day after the final date:

Here is a map showing the above closures

Keep up to date

Get the latest river information before you go boating. Call the Environment Agency Floodline on 0345 988 1188 and select option 1 for river information for boaters. When prompted enter one of the quick dial numbers below for the area of the river you want to hear about:

Find out about call charges.

Email

The Environment Agency sends email updates on River Thames closures and restrictions. To subscribe to this service, email riverthames@environment-agency.gov.uk with ‘subscribe to harbourmaster’s notices’ in the subject line.

Know your river conditions

Any river activity poses a greater risk when there are strong currents, high river levels or cold weather conditions. River flows can increase even during the summer months – never assume sunny weather means the conditions are not hazardous.

Warning boards may be displayed at locks to inform river users of the conditions. Read the explanations of what these mean for you. Don’t take risks and never underestimate the power of the river.

When these red boards are displayed on lock gates, we advise users of all boats not to navigate because the strong flows make it difficult and dangerous.

People in hire boats arriving at a lock where these boards are displayed should stop immediately and contact their hire boat operator to ask for instructions.

When these yellow boards are displayed on lock gates, we advise users of all unpowered boats not to navigate and users of powered boats to find a safe mooring. This is because river flows are likely to strengthen, and red boards could be displayed very soon and without further warning.

When these yellow boards are displayed on lock gates, we advise users of all unpowered boats not to navigate and users of powered boats to navigate with caution.

Dealing with changing river conditions

Read this section carefully to find out what to do if you find yourself in conditions where we advise you to stop navigating. Remember, not all conditions will be serious enough to require all the measures suggested below.

1. Please take the advice to stop. Even the most experienced boater can be caught out, so think about those who could be put in danger if they have to help you.
2. Moor your boat in a safe place, preferably in a marina or at a recognised mooring. Limited space may be available at some locks. Moor against high banks if you can.
3. Ensure your mooring lines are fastened to secure fixings such as bollards, rings or even trees; put out extra lines for additional security and allow enough slack for a further rise in river levels; don’t rely on your own mooring pins or stakes, they might not hold.
4. If possible, put extra fendering (eg scaffold poles or strong timber posts) between your boat and the bank side, to prevent your boat drifting onto the river bank and becoming caught up when levels drop.
5. Make sure you have a safe exit ashore from your boat. If not, you should consider returning home or finding alternative accommodation until conditions improve.
6. If you are running low on essential supplies or have other safety concerns and are not able to vacate your boat safely, treat this as an emergency and dial 999 to ask for evacuation.
7. Those in hire boats: if you are advised to stop navigating, you should stop immediately and contact your hire boat operator and follow their instructions.

Please remember your life is more important than your boat

The Environment Agency does not provide emergency services and is not able to carry out search and rescue, or provide supplies to stranded boats.

Technical guidance WM3 applies in England from 1st July 2015, when the legal requirements change.

This document provides guidance on waste classification. It is a comprehensive reference manual for anyone involved in producing, managing and regulating waste. You need to be competent in hazardous waste and have some knowledge of chemistry to fully utilise all aspects of this guidance. Appendix A includes the waste classification codes, also referred to as LoW (List of Waste) or EWC (European Waste Catalogue) codes for hazardous and non hazardous waste. This document does not provide guidance on the packaging and labelling of waste for transport.

You must be a member of the Poultry Health Scheme (PHS) if you want to:

• export more than 20 birds or hatching eggs to another EU member state (as long as your business meets EU animal health and welfare rules)
• sell birds or eggs to other PHS members
• export to countries that require compliance with EU legislation

See the guidance on how to register for the Poultry Health Scheme.

All cattle herds are classed as Officially TB Free (OFT) if their TB tests are up-to-date and there is no suspicion of TB infection. If TB is suspected, then cattle is put under restrictions and the OFT status is suspended (OTFS). A veterinary officer or inspector from APHA will complete a disease investigation to asess the TB breakdown, its possible origin and implement control measures to prevent the spread to other herds.

These documents explain in detail what happens if bovine TB is identified or suspected in a cattle herd. It provides information on:

• investigation of the TB breakdown
• dealing with milk quota
• reactor animals
• valuation, slaughter and compensation
• inconclusive reactors
• withdrawal of Officially Free TB status
• cleansing and disinfection
• disposal of slurry and manure
• testing during a breakdown
• cattle movements on and off restricted holdings

There is guidance for cattle keepers in Scotland and Wales. For cattle keepers in England, see Bovine TB: getting your cattle tested in England

A Welsh translation of the guidance for cattle keepers in Wales is also available.

If you hold a licence under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 you may need a permit if you carry out the activities of:

• receiving or disposing of radioactive waste
• keeping or using mobile radioactive apparatus

If you are on a nuclear licensed site as a tenant you may need a permit for the above activities and also for:

• keeping or using radioactive material

Exempt radioactive substances activities

You may not need a permit for some aspects of radioactive substances activities. See information on radioactive substances regulation for non-nuclear sites – exempt activities.

In practice most of these exemptions will not apply to activities on nuclear sites.

Requirements for a nuclear licensed site

Find information in the regulation of radioactive substances activities on nuclear licensed sites, the Environmental permitting regulations and the government guidance on radioactive substances regulation.

Apply for, change, transfer or surrender a radioactive substances permit

Before you apply read application form RSR part A and its associated guidance. Part F tells you where to send it. To apply for sealed sources use the non-nuclear Part B forms.

Pay for your radioactive substances permit

Charges for permits on nuclear sites are billed on the actual time spent and costs incurred in relation to applications, variations, transfer, surrenders and subsistence of permits. This is explained fully in the charging scheme.

Who to contact about your radioactive substances permit

You can discuss any part your application with the person who sent you the form or the Permit Support Centre:

Telephone: 020 3025 8174 or 020 3025 8207

Email: RSR.Rotherham2.NE@environment-agency.gov.uk

If you plan to carry out ‘intrusive investigation or other excavation, construction or building work to work out the suitability of any premises for underground disposal of radioactive waste’ please contact the relevant nuclear regulation group. You can talk to this group if you have any regulatory or technical questions.

Nuclear regulation group (north)

Telephone: 020 3025 5873

Email: nrg.north@environment-agency.gov.uk

Nuclear regulation group (south)

Telephone: 020 8474 8298

Email: nrg.south@environment-agency.gov.uk