Navigation Closures on the River Stort - between Harlow Mill Lock 8 and Lower Lock 15

We believe that the River Stort may soon become unnavigable between Harlow Mill Lock 8 and Lower Lock 15 due to reducing water flows along the river.

To help preserve the remaining water levels, all locks between Harlow Mill Lock 8 and Lower Lock 15 will be closed from 1:00pm on Thursday 7 August.

If you are currently navigating within this section, we strongly encourage you to move your boat, where possible, to either:

• the pound between Latton Lock 9 and Parndon Mill Lock 11, OR
• the pound between Roydon Lock 13 and Brick Lock 14.

Our teams will focus their efforts on maintaining water levels within these pounds to help keep boats safely afloat.

If you are unable to move your boat before the closure, please contact us via enquiries on 0303 040 4040. Subject to water levels, assisted booked passages may be possible between Wednesday 12 August and Friday 14 August, between 10:00am and 2:00pm.

Please note that:

• All passages must be booked and confirmed at least 24 hours in advance.
• When booking, please let us know where you are travelling from and your intended destination.

We are continuing to monitor the situation closely and will provide further updates on this notice as conditions change.

If the current drought conditions continue, it may become necessary to fully close the River Stort to navigation within the next fortnight.

Our teams will continue to do everything they can to support boaters and manage the available water as effectively as possible.

Thank you for your patience, cooperation and understanding during this challenging period.