Emergency closure Rushey Lock

[boatone]

River Thames – emergency lock closure
Rushey Lock
Thursday 30 August 2012 to Saturday 1 September 2012
For Health and Safety reasons we are temporarily unable to operate Rushey Weir, which is undergoing emergency repairs. Due to rising river levels following recent rainfall in the area, we will be closing Rushey Lock as soon as possible today, Thursday 30 August from 15.30, to help us manage water levels through the lock. We will re-open the lock to boat traffic at 09.00 on Saturday 1 Sept.
These arrangements may need to continue over the weekend Saturday 1 September – Sunday 2 September, subject to our need to manage river levels, however we will endeavour to keep the river open to navigation.
There is insufficient mooring space at Rushey lock to await passage through the lock. No queuing is possible. If you plan to transit through Rushey lock and require the latest update, please speak with Lock and Weir keepers at nearby locks, or call Rushey Lock office during working hours (0900 – 1900) on 01367 870218 for advice.
Repairs to the weir will be carried out as soon as possible. A further notice will be issued on Monday 3 September if required.
We apologise for any inconvenience this restriction causes and thank you for your patience during this time.
Matt Carter Harbourmaster 30 August 2012

 

[Mirror Painter]

That rather changes my plans for tomorrow then :-( Still thanks for the info.

I'll get to Radcot at least -if the yellow boards don't turn red...

 

[ThamesBoater]

Same here.

Red boards here at Osney.

So I have been 'forced' to have a couple of pints in The Punter instead of heading up river.

 

[Mirror Painter]

Based on what a lock keeper told me, I'd be surprised if the lock was open tomorrow morning. I'd also be wary of going through it at in the next few days because of a fear of being stuck on the down-stream side of it if repair work does not go as planned.


So I'm 'stuck' at the Swan Inn. The 'new' Landlord is a nice guy, the sun is shining and they sell pear cider. Could be worse

 

[TrueBlue]

Therte was an awful lot of work going on the week before last when we passed through. Miles of yellow tape and an huge crane moving a lot of material.

It's a difficult project, although the fall is modest (as many of the upper upper thames locks are), there is only one set of weirs and to keep the tree huggers happy EA have had to retain at least one set of "Ring and Brymer" weirs (my Malapropism).

Something must have gone awry - or perhaps it's unexpected flows at this time of year that has upset things, so they're diverting thw water through the lock chamber.

 

[Mirror Painter]

Something must have gone awry - or perhaps it's unexpected flows at this time of year that has upset things, so they're diverting the water through the lock chamber.

I believe it's a bit of both. Maintenance work on the weir revealed that the banks were dangerously undercut. There is a plan to install something, (forgot what), to make the banks safe. But because the river was in flood that work could not be done safely and so the lock is doing the job of the weir. At least that's what I heard.