Using locks
Safety at locks
- In narrow lock cuts, please remember some boats draw up to 1.2 metres (4 feet) or more and might not be able to manoeuvre quickly.
- When waiting for a lock, form an orderly queue at the layby moorings as near to the lock as possible. Queue jumping is bad mannered, it arouses ill feeling and can cause confusion and delays entering the lock.
- Once the lock is full, any remaining boats should move forward along the layby to ensure those waiting in the channel (perhaps in difficult conditions) can moor at the back of the queue.
- Obey the lock keeper's instructions. For both safety and efficiency reasons they may not necessarily instruct boats to enter the lock in strict order of arrival.
- Stop your engine once the boat is moored in the lock. Turn off radios and other music or noise.
- Secure your head and stern lines around the bollards. When water is rising or falling in the lock, adjust your lines to keep them fairly taught. Make sure your boat does not become caught up as the lock is emptying.
- Always bring your boat to a complete standstill using reverse gear, not the ropes.
- Coil ropes ready for use. Tangled lines cause problems, especially if needed in a hurry.
- Use front and rear moring lines. Never wrap a rope round any part of your body and keep hands and fingers away from bollards or cleats.
- Do not fend off with hands, feet or boat hooks.
- Do not open fuel tanks or strike matches.
- Do not moor upstream of the vertical white line on the lock wall or your boat may be damaged.
- Be aware of bollards, steps and other tripping hazards.
- Do not run on the lock side or allow others to run.
- Keep children under close supervision.
- Take your time and pay attention while going through the lock.
Please keep dogs on your boat, or on a lead whilst passing through the lock.
Lock keepers hours of duty
We aim to staff locks during the following hours but you are advised to check with the notices displayed at each lock.
- January - March 09.15-1600*
- April 0900-17.30
- May 0900-18.30
- June - August 09.00-19.00
- September 09.00-18.00**
- October 09.00-17.00
- November - December 09.15-16.00
Teddington lock provides 24-hour service throughout the year.
Blakes lock is not regularly staffed but you are welcome to operate it yourself, at your own risk. Please leave the lock empty or emptying when the gates close.
* When Easter falls in March: 09.00-17.30 Good Friday to Easter Monday inclusive
** 09.00-18.30 Saturday and Sunday
Out of hours public power
When locks are unattended, you may work them yourself, at your own risk. Some locks have power making them easier to operate, see the out of hours public power instructions for further details. Operating instructions are also posted at locks.
If you are operating the lock yourself, follow these guidelines;
- Read and understand the operating instructions at the lock before you start.
- Stay close to the sluice controls while the sluices are in operation.
- Lock gates must always be properly closed before slowly opening the sluices to fill or empty the lock. After use, leave the lock empty and the gates shut, as in many cases there is a public right of way over the gates.
- In an emergency you should close all sluices before dealing with the situation.
- Emergency contact details are displayed at each lock.
There is further information on our page about River Thames locks.