Between Teddington and Richmond, the water level is maintained at or above half-tide level. This is achieved using vertical sluice gates suspended from Richmond footbridge. When raised - from approximately 2 hours before high water to 2 hours after high water (remember that HW here is about 1hr later than high tide at London Bridge as shown on tide tables) - passage through the centre three arches is possible. This is indicated by two fixed orange lights at the head of each span.

If the sluices are lowered, or an arch is closed to navigation for any other reason, the orange lights are replaced by three red disks in a triangle pointing downwards. At night there are red lights in the same formation.

The span nearest the lock is now permanently closed to allow the PLA to moor their launches alongside the lock! This does leave the other two free for use though.

When the arches are closed, passage is possible via the lock on the Surrey bank. A large illuminated sign on the lock flashes the message "Use lock" with an arrow pointing to it! There is a charge to use the lock, currently £5.00 (April 1997). Boats small enough to be picked up and carried may use the boat rollers on the Middlesex bank and avoid paying.

It is sometimes a difficult job to attract the lock keeper's attention, and it can easily take half an hour or more to get through the lock. There are no bollards or rings which means relying on the hanging chains to control your boat.

The lock office is a good source of information about tides and suchlike, and can be contacted on 020 8940 0634.

Vital statistics Length 250'0" Width 26'8" Maximum fall 10'0"

The Tideway pages are maintained by John Kennett
Comments, corrections and additions are always welcome