River Thames at Easter?

[Agroinourmidst]

We are planning to move our newly acquired narrowboat from Calcutt Marina to the Kennet and Avon over the upcoming Easter holiday, We are not complete novices and have in the past been on the Severn (In June travelling upstream).

Obviously the damp winter has had a huge effect on the system and the Thames in particular, currently there are yellow and red warnings between Oxford and Reading but these seem to be decreasing BY THE DAY! If there are no stream warnings by the time we get to Oxford around the 17th of April can we expect a gentle, tranquil cruise or will it still be like a white water rafting experience on the Zambezi? I appreciate that travelling downstream is more tricky than against the current but should I be worried, concerned or just wary of any particular dangers?

 

Should I in fact not consider this journey at all until later this Spring or might it be fine?

 

Your thoughts please

 

TIA

 

Chris.

[MtB]

Yellow boards can be completely discounted. They are meaningless, other than to mean if you look carefully, you can tell it's a river.

 

Red boards have been impossibly debased to the point they are useless too. They can mean anything from 'it's running slightly fast' to 'you must be a mentalist to come out in this'.

 

Hope that helps. But I doubt it....

 

 

MtB

[billS]

Unless there is significant rain between now and then, the Thames should be fine. The Kennet, however, is taking much longer to sort itself out.

 

We are planning to head in the opposite direction over Easter, so give us a wave.

[MtB]

Kennet in Readfing has calmed down to the point where the fire brigade feel safe to practice their boating skills in the County Lock weirstream once again...

 

 

MtB

[matty40s]

Kennet in Readfing has calmed down to the point where the fire brigade feel safe to practice their boating skills in the County Lock weirstream once again...

 

 

MtB

Have any proper boats been moving yet??

[dmr]

Well I don't really agree with MtB here which is rare!

We have done the Thames right on the transition between yellows and Reds and its not for the feint hearted. You should be ok by Easter but several locks can be a bit tricky, especially Osney. Abingdon, Goring and Whitchurch also need to be taken carefully as you are stopping on or just off flowing water. If it is still flowing significantly you can sometimes get the lock-keepers to have the locks open and ready for you which helps, but don't take this for granted.,

But don't worry about the Thames, its tame compared with the Kennet!

However you will be going upstream.

Watch out for an eddy as you approach County lock.

Getting onto the landing at Fobney is a bit tricky, take it slow and try not to get the front pushed over by the waterfall. Swot up on the technique for doing Woolhampton, especially the route to take between the bridge and lock.

 

............Dave

[billS]

Have any proper boats been moving yet??

 

No - nothing yet. The Kennet is still officially closed from Copse Lock to the Thames, and allegedly some of the locks are chained closed.

[Proper Job]

Don't forget the over running bridge replacement works at Whitchurch

 

 

1 April to September 2014

Whitchurch Toll Bridge refurbishment

The width of the navigation arch at Whitchurch Toll Bridge, between Whitchurch and Mapledurham Locks will be restricted between 1 April and September 2014.

Whitchurch Toll Bridge was built in 1902 and has come to the end of its working life. It is currently being reconstructed. Oxfordshire County Council is managing this on behalf of the Whitchurch Bridge Company and has appointed Balfour Beatty as the main contractor. The main works, which were scheduled to take place during the five month river closure from November 2013 to March 2014, have been significantly delayed by the extreme river conditions experienced this winter.

From 1 April onwards the navigation channel will be open to river traffic. The width of navigation will be restricted to varying degrees throughout the ongoing works. The minimum navigation width will be 7.0 metres. When this is in operation, one-way river traffic will be managed by the contractors during lock keeper hours of duty. To permit safe navigation, a buoyed channel will be in place and this will be lit between sunset and sunrise.

Please follow directional signage, follow any directions given by the safety boat and/or officers of the Environment Agency and navigate slowly and with caution in the area of these works. River users are reminded that

 

boats going upstream must give way to boats coming downstream.

Note:

 

Some overnight and two full-day navigation closures will be required over the revised programme. This will permit works that cannot be carried out whilst the navigation is open. We will minimised the impact of these temporary closures by scheduling them at times when boat traffic is likely to be lightest. The dates of these closures are currently being scheduled now the contractors have been able to recommence work on the bridge this week. As soon as the dates of these short-period closures are known we will publicise them via Harbourmaster’s Notices. There will not be any closures on weekends or bank holidays.

[ditchcrawler]

Don't forget the over running bridge replacement works at Whitchurch

 

 

1 April to September 2014

Whitchurch Toll Bridge refurbishment

The width of the navigation arch at Whitchurch Toll Bridge, between Whitchurch and Mapledurham Locks will be restricted between 1 April and September 2014.

Whitchurch Toll Bridge was built in 1902 and has come to the end of its working life. It is currently being reconstructed. Oxfordshire County Council is managing this on behalf of the Whitchurch Bridge Company and has appointed Balfour Beatty as the main contractor. The main works, which were scheduled to take place during the five month river closure from November 2013 to March 2014, have been significantly delayed by the extreme river conditions experienced this winter.

From 1 April onwards the navigation channel will be open to river traffic. The width of navigation will be restricted to varying degrees throughout the ongoing works. The minimum navigation width will be 7.0 metres. When this is in operation, one-way river traffic will be managed by the contractors during lock keeper hours of duty. To permit safe navigation, a buoyed channel will be in place and this will be lit between sunset and sunrise.

Please follow directional signage, follow any directions given by the safety boat and/or officers of the Environment Agency and navigate slowly and with caution in the area of these works. River users are reminded that

 

boats going upstream must give way to boats coming downstream.

Note:

 

Some overnight and two full-day navigation closures will be required over the revised programme. This will permit works that cannot be carried out whilst the navigation is open. We will minimised the impact of these temporary closures by scheduling them at times when boat traffic is likely to be lightest. The dates of these closures are currently being scheduled now the contractors have been able to recommence work on the bridge this week. As soon as the dates of these short-period closures are known we will publicise them via Harbourmaster’s Notices. There will not be any closures on weekends or bank holidays.

We are hoping to do the same trip from Braunston down to the K&A. Do you know if they will be publishing the odd days its closed for, I can probably get through 7mts if the flow is OK.

Unless there is significant rain between now and then, the Thames should be fine. The Kennet, however, is taking much longer to sort itself out.

 

We are planning to head in the opposite direction over Easter, so give us a wave.

You may meet us as well then.

[Proper Job]

We are hoping to do the same trip from Braunston down to the K&A. Do you know if they will be publishing the odd days its closed for, I can probably get through 7mts if the flow is OK.

 

 

Your best bet is to keep an eye on the web site: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/131885.aspx

 

and/or subscribe to the email updates from the harbour master

[Paringa]

Boats have been moving about now - me included. Weather permitting by the time you need to be on the Thames all will be well. There may be a bit more stream than you are used to so just be aware you will be moving a bit quicker which only becomes a problem if you need to stop or avoid things... So be careful at bridges and if you need to turn about, give yourself plenty of time and space. I am sure all will be well though...