Chertsey Lock closed to navigation

[boatone]

Notice issued via Twitter form Environment Agency South East earlier this evening:
Due to lock failure at #Chertsey the #ThamesNavigation will be closed to boaters overnight. Our engineers will carry out repairs asap.

 

[boatone]

Info just received from EA Harbourmaster:
We are advising River Thames boaters that Chertsey Lock in Surrey is currently closed due to a serious fault with one of the lock gates.
Engineers are currently on site and working hard to fix the problem as soon as possible, but due to the nature of the fault, it may be another 48 hours before the lock is brought back into service.
Two out four large 32mm bolts from the metal plate that secures one of upstream or ‘head’ gates in position have sheared off. As a result, the gate has dropped out of alignment, putting additional stress on the remaining two bolts. Continued use is both unsafe, and increases the risk of further damage. We have therefore been left with no option but to close the lock.
The repair we are carrying out requires the broken bolts to be drilled out of their concrete housing, and replacements fitted and secured with resin. We are working as fast as we can to resolve this use as a matter of urgency, but the drying time for the resin is around 30 hours. There is no alternative repair method.
We are assessing the possibility for safely operating the lock while the resin in drying, but this may not be possible. If it is not possible, the lock will remain closed to boat traffic. It is anticipated that the lock will become fully operable on Wednesday 13^th September. Boater’s safety is our paramount concern.
We are extremely sorry for any inconvenience this unavoidable breakdown causes, but would like to reassure boaters that we are doing all we can to minimise disruption and return the lock to operation as soon as it is safe to do so.
Boaters can subscribe for updates on the situation by emailing riverthames@environment-agency.gov.uk with ‘subscribe to harbourmaster’s notices’ in the subject line or by following @envagencyse on Twitter

 

[boatone]

Just heard that repairs completed and lock now working again 24 hours ahead of expected schedule.
Super effort by EA ops team and all involved.

 

[apollo]