As an interim measure, until a solution to address the sand bar is confirmed, we are working to ensure that a Lock Keeper will be on site at Stoke Lock daily between 9:00am and 4:30pm to provide assistance and guidance where required.  Outside these hours the lock will be inoperable.

Navigation guidance Approaching from Gunthorpe

• Keep at least five metres to the left of the marker buoys.
• Begin your turn into the lock no sooner than five metres upstream of the last marker buoy.

Departing Stoke Lock

• Keep to the right when exiting the lock, making a sharp right turn into the centre of the river.
• Maintain a position at least five metres to the right of the marker buoys.

The image (visible on the website version of this notice) shows:

• A red area that should not be entered
• A blue line illustrating a typical safe approach and departure route

Please proceed with care and follow the guidance provided at all times.

Recent plough dredging works at Stoke Lock were unable to remove the gravel/sand bar immediately downstream of the lock due to insufficient water depth and the coarse nature of the deposits. As a result, a shallow gravel/sand bar remains in place.

A narrow navigable channel is currently available, and the affected area has been marked with buoys to reduce the risk of grounding. These measures are an interim mitigation only. Further plough dredging is not considered a viable solution at this location. We are assessing alternative options, including targeted conventional dredging and will update once a solution is confirmed.

Please proceed with caution and follow on‑site markings and guidance.

We have had reports of recent groundings on the River Trent below Stoke Lock. We believe that this is due to silt deposit building up, combined with the current low water levels.

Dredging is scheduled to improve this situation and we will update this notice as soon as we have further information.