Environment Agency Thames

AINA Representative: Mr Stuart Taylor - Head of Recreation and Navigation

Kings Meadow House
Kings Meadow Road
Reading
RG1 8DQ

Telephone: 08708 506506
Fax: 0118 957 4165

Email: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk, www.visitthames.co.uk

Constitutional status

Non-Department government body.

Description of navigation

A river navigation within urban and rural landscapes.

A brief history of the navigation

The Non tidal River Thames is an historic Statutory Public Right of Navigation from Town Bridge, Cricklade to the boundary obelisk just downstream of Teddington Lock. Its statutory framework is provided by the various Thames Conservancy Act.

Current situation and use

Navigation fully open with locks manned by lock keepers throughout the year.

www.visitthames.co.uk has been a particular success, encouraging visitors to the river for walking, fishing, boating and sightseeing. The number of people using the site has increased considerably.

The number of boats using the Thames had been in decline from the late 80s with a 30% fall in boat registration from 1990-2000. In 2001 the Environment Agency started the ‘Thames Ahead’ initiative to rejuvenate the river. Working with the marine trade and interested local authorities the marketing work by Thames Ahead had an impact with registrations beginning to go upwards and businesses investing.

Plans for the future

In January 2006 the Environment Agency, on behalf of the RYA, launched the first ever Thames Waterway Plan, as a framework for long-term development along the river. The Environment Agency’s contribution to the TWP is its investment in maintaining the river’s infrastructure and improving facilities and services where possible as part of the work. Increased government funding over the next 3 years means more of this work can be carried out.

A 5-year rolling capital programme is available on request.

How we consult with our users

As well as consulting through our formal consultations, i.e. the regional Fisheries Ecology & Recreation Advisory Committee (RFERAC) a Thames Waterway Working Group has also been established which draws its membership from both trade and recreational users of the river. A network of River User Groups also provides a localised communications system for local management.

How we are structured

Navigation statistics

The River Thames

Length of Towpaths	200.85km (124.8 miles)
Length/area of Waterway	217.55km (135.18miles)
Number of Locks (if any)	44 - see below

Locks

Section	Length	Width
Lechlade to Oxford	33.52m (110ft )	4.47m (14ft 8ins )
Oxford to Reading	36.57m (120 ft)	5.33m (17ft 6ins )
Reading to Windsor	39.82m (130ft 8ins)	5.43m (17ft 10ins)
Windsor to Staines	54.55m (179ft)	7.36m (24ft 2ins )
Staines to Teddington	53.16m (174ft 5ins)	6.04m (19ft 10ins )

Waterway

Section	Length	Min. Headroom (lowest bridge in section)
Lechlade to Oxford	1m (3ft 3ins)	2.28m (7ft 6ins)
Oxford to Reading	1.2m (4ft)	3.78m (12ft 5ins)
Reading to Windsor	1.3m (4ft 6ins)	3.81m (12ft 6ins)
Windsor to Staines	1.7m (5ft 6ins)	4.34m (14ft 3ins)
Staines to Teddington	2m (6ft 6ins)	5.18m (17ft )

River Kennet

(from its junction with the Thames for 0.932 miles (1.49km) into Reading. This is legally part of the Thames Navigation).

Length of Towpaths	1.49km (0.93 miles)
Length/area of Waterway	1.49km (0.93 miles)
Number of Locks (if any)	1 - see below