14.06.2019

Richmond Lock and Weir 125th birthday refurbishment underway

A major 125th anniversary facelift for Richmond’s historic lock and weir, spanning the Thames, will start in the week beginning Monday 24 June 2019, the Port of London Authority (PLA) has confirmed.

Due for completion in November, the £500,000 project requires the temporary closure of public access to the structure’s walkways, with extensive scaffolding needed to enable the application of 3,500 litres of paint, carefully sourced to meet English Heritage specifications.

The nearest alternative cross river footpath is Twickenham Bridge, 300 metres upstream.

The lock’s manager Jim Deeney said: “This important work will inevitably cause some short-term inconvenience for the scores of local people who use and enjoy the walkways on a regular basis, but it is essential that we keep this much-loved local icon in good nick for many generations to come.

“We will of course complete the refurbishment just as soon as we can, hopefully in time for the dramatic annual draw down inspection at the end of October.”

Situated at St Margaret’s between Teddington and Richmond, the facility includes three vertical weir gates, suspended from a footbridge. Each measuring 20 metres by 3.6 metres and weighting 32 tonne, they are raised two hours either side of high water. For the rest of time passing river traffic must use the lock, measuring 76 metres in length and 7.9 metres in width.

The PLA has been responsible for the structure’s upkeep since the organisation was created by an Act of Parliament in 1909.

The last major refurbishment was completed in 1994, marking the structure’s centenary.

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For further information please contact: Nick Tennant: 07784 208074.

• The PLA works to ensure navigational safety along the tidal Thames, stretching 95 miles from Teddington to the North Sea. It shares its marine, environmental, planning and other expertise to promote use of the river and safeguard its unique marine environment.