River Thames locks part closed from Cotswolds to Oxford

The Environment Agency will introduce navigation restrictions between St John’s Lock in Lechlade, Gloucestershire, to Osney Lock in Oxford, from Saturday, July 25.

Passage through the River Thames locks will be restricted to one upstream and one downstream movement every 30 minutes, and overnight lock closures will be in place from 6pm until 9.30am.

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A statement for the Environment Agency said: “The current period of exceptionally dry weather and high temperatures has increased pressure on available water resources.

Osney Lock in Oxford will be subject to the navigation restrictions (Image: NQ)

“At the same time, demand for drinking water remains high.

“Every lock operation transfers a significant volume of water downstream.

“Without intervention, river levels could reduce further, affecting both navigation and the availability of water for abstraction.

“These temporary measures will help retain water within the system, support navigation where possible and safeguard essential drinking water supplies for the communities that rely upon them.”

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The agency added that boaters can use lock lay-bys for mooring during overnight closures, free of charge, and are advised to plan their journeys carefully to reach moorings before closure times.

Measures will be reviewed regularly and amended in response to changing conditions, according to the agency, but the ‘outlook does not show a strong indication for significant rainfall in the coming weeks’.

The Thames Area of the Environment Agency was put into ‘Prolonged Dry Weather’ status on Monday, July 20, following below average rainfall and high temperatures across the area.